Who Won the 2014 NBA Finals?

The 2014 NBA Finals were the championship series of the 2013–14 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeated the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games (4–1) for the Spurs’ fifth NBA championship in franchise history.

The NBA Finals

The 2014 NBA Finals were the championship series of the 2013–14 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the conclusion of the season’s playoffs. The Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeated the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games, four games to one. The Spurs outscored the Heat in the series by an average of 15.2 points per game.

The teams

The 2014 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2013–14 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the conclusion of the season’s playoffs. The Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeated the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games (4–1) for the Spurs’ fifth NBA championship in franchise history. The Spurs outscored the Heat in the series by an average of 15.2 points per game, becoming just the seventh team to win an NBA championship despite being outscored by their opponent in the playoffs. It was also a rematch of the previous year’s Finals, which Miami had won in seven games. San Antonio spurted to a 2–0 lead behind a balanced scoring attack as ten different players scored at least nine points for them through two quarters played. Miami responded with a 120–111 home overtime victory led by James’ 36 points and eight rebounds, tying up the series at 1–1. San Antonio took control of this series with agressive play by Leonard leading to two close wins that put them up 3–1.. In Game 5, James led a fourth quarter comeback for Miami with early clutch three-point shooting, saving his best game of these playoffs for last. Despite his efforts, however, it was not enough as San Antonio held on to win 104–87 and take home their fifth title since 1999.

The players

The 2014 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2013–14 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeated the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games (4–1) for the Spurs’ fifth NBA championship in franchise history. The Spurs outscored the Heat in the series by an average of 16.25 points per game, the largest margin of victory in NBA Finals history. San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard was named the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) after averaging 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.6 blocks per game for the series, becoming just the third non-stater to receive the award since 1979, and becoming the first player to win both a Defensive Player of the Year award and an NBA Finals MVP award in his career.

This was a rematch of 2006 NBA Finals in which Miami had defeated Dallas Mavericks 4–2 to win their first championship; however, none of Miami’s “Big Three” from 2006 were still on their roster by 2014. For all intents and purposes, this was also a rematch of sorts between Tim Duncan and LeBron James from their days as members of opposing All-Star teams (and considered by some to be basketball’s greatest power forwards ever), with Duncan’s Spurs having defeated James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007 while James was still on that team.

The storyline heading into these Finals was much discussed: Miami’s “Big Three” versus San Antonio’s “Big Three”. Dwyane Wade missed 31 games during the regular season due to various injuries; he averaged only 19 points per game against Indiana during that year’s Eastern Conference Finals but bounced back with 21 points per game against San Antonio.[11] Leonard led all players during those playoffs in overall points scored (264), efficiencies (1.62), win shares (5.2), defensive rating (96), defensive win shares (2.), total minutes played (473), and steals percentage (.1%).[12][13] Much was also made aboutPoint guard Tony Parker’s injury sits-outs during much of September and December due to a Grade II hamstring tear he suffered on November 27.[14] He came back just before Christmas and helped lead his team on an 18-game winning streak right before they faced off against Miami.[15][16]

The winner would earn conference bragging rights for years to come as this would be just the 5th time since ABA/NBA merger that 2 teams from same conference met up in NBA Finals.

The game

The score

The final score of the 2014 NBA Finals was Miami Heat 103, San Antonio Spurs 106. The Spurs won the series 4-1.

The highlights

The 2014 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2013–14 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the conclusion of the season’s playoffs. The Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeated the defending NBA champion and Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games (4–1) for the Spurs’ fifth NBA championship in franchise history. The Spurs outscored the Heat in the series by an average of 15.2 points per game, becoming just the eighth team to win a Finals series while being outscored by their opponent. San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard was named the Most Valuable Player of the series, scoring a career-high 29 points in Game 3, 20 points in Game 5, and averaging 22.5 points and 10.8 rebounds for the entire series.

It was a rematch of the 2006 NBA Finals; this was also Gregg Popovich and Erik Spoelstra’s fourth time meeting in an NBA Finals as head coaches, Popovich having won two previous meetings with Spoelstra’s Miami teams in 2007 and 2014, while Spoelstra won one meeting with Popovich’s Spurs team in 2006. This was also Tim Duncan’s fifth NBA Finals appearance (1999, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007), which tied him with Magic Johnson and Derek Fisher for second place among active players when adjusted for Celtics players who have more appearances that play fewer seasons on their teams (e.g., Jaylen Brown).

The Spurs jumped out to a 2–1 lead after three games following blowout victories in Games 1 and 3; each game was decided by at least 20 points. In Game 4, Miami led by five points with less than ten minutes left before Duncan made two clutch baskets to help San Antonio steal a 109–93 victory on Miami’s home floor to take control of the series. In Game 5, Leonard put up a 3-point dagger to put San Antonio up 87–86 midway through fourth quarter before closing out Miami with another strong performance on both ends with some key blocked shots earlier on in fourth quarter that allowed San Antonio to come away with a 104–87 victory and their fifth NBA title. With this victory, Duncan became just one of nine players to have won five or more championships while never losing an NBA Finals series (also Bill Russell x11 titles without losses [8 playing years], Robert Horry x7 titles without losses [15 playing years], Michael Jordan x6 titles without losses [13 playing years], Kareem Abdul-Jabbar x6 titles without losses [20 playing years], Sam Jones x5 titles without losses [11 playing years], Scottie Pippen x5 titles without losses [17 playing years], Jim Loscutoff x5 titles without losses [8 playing years] & Johnny McCarthy x5 titles without losses [9 playing years]). It also marked Manu Ginóbili’s first title not achieved alongside Duncan or Parker since he joined them from AXA FC Barcelona back in 2002 as well as Patty Mills’ first ever championship since being drafted back in 2009; both were monumental moments for both players after coming so close but missing out on winning an NBA title during their first decade with Duncan & Parker respectively (Ginóbili & Mills would go on to win another championship three years later alongside Leonard & Aldridge).

This loss broke James’ streak of appearing in five straight Finals (2011–2015), something that had only been accomplished previously by his boyhood idol Michael Jordan (1991–1998) and by fellow Celtic Bill Russell (1957–1966); all three had gone 2–3 over those respective stretches (with James joining Jordan as having lost all three times as underdogs). It also snap James’ streak of winning at least two championships over any five-year period; he had previously accomplished that feat four times since turning pro: 2009 & 2010 with Wade & Bosh vs Dallas & Oklahoma City respectively (both as underdogs), 2012 & 2013 vs Durant’s Thunder & Parker’s Spurs respectively (both as favorites), and most recently 2015 against Golden State (as underdog); indeed this loss meant that for only second time ever James had failed win multiple championships within any five year period as professional basketball player having previously accomplished that feat seven times over past fifteen seasons dating back from his second year as professional during 2003-2004 campaign all way up until most recent campaign during 2017-2018 where he finally managed achieve eightpeat winning his eighth consecutive Eastern Conference Championship 2018 along way reaching his ninth appearance overall NBA Finals having led Cavs past Boston Celtics Eastern Conference Finals six games after losing Game 1 following astounding comeback from 0-2 deficit which ironically enough mirrored very same deficit that Golden State Warriors themselves had overcome defeat Cavaliers win 2017 edition NBA Finals after being down 0-3 deficit themselves en route achieving very same thing Manu Ginóbili himself helped do 2002 leading Argentina defeat Yugoslavia 86-83 OT win FIBA World Championship game Indianapolis which Ginóbili himself described what happen 2018 edition Eastern Conference “It felt like deja vu all over again” Ginóbili said referencing Yogi Berra quote .

The aftermath

The Spurs won the 2014 NBA Finals in a hard fought series against the Heat. It was a great series and the Spurs were the better team. Now that it’s over, let’s take a look at what happened.

The reaction

The reaction to the 2014 NBA Finals has been overwhelmingly positive, with many fans and commentators calling it one of the best ever. LeBron James has been widely praised for his performances, especially in the final three games, and many have credited him with carrying the Miami Heat to victory.Critics have also praised the San Antonio Spurs for their competitiveness, class and sportsmanship, with some even claiming that they were the true winners of the series.

There has been some criticism of the officiating in Game 5, when a controversial call led to a crucial turnover by the Spurs late in the fourth quarter. However, overall most people seem to agree that the 2014 NBA Finals was a great series and a fitting end to an exciting season.

The celebration

The 2014 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 2013–14 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the conclusion of the season’s playoffs. The Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs defeated the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat in five games for the Spurs’ fifth NBA championship in franchise history. The Spurs outscored the Heat in the series by an average of 15.2 points per game, making it one of only four Finals where one team swept another with a margin greater than 10 points per game. San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard was named the Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) after averaging 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the series, becoming just third rookie to receive that honor after Magic Johnson (1980) and Tim Duncan (1999).

The celebration began on South Beach immediately following LeBron James’ block on Danny Green which prevented a possible go-ahead basket with under 20 seconds remaining in regulation time of Game 5. Players, coaches, staff and family members hugged and congratulated each other while Heat fans filed out dejectedly. Injured All-Star Dwyane Wade limped off the court with help from teammates after sustaining an Achilles injury early in Game 5 which limited his ability to jump and run properly during most of his 31 minutes on the court.

Several hours later, a victory parade was held in Downtown Miami for both teams which drew an estimated 400,000 people according to Miami police officials. In addition to police officers, city sanitation workers used jet skis to help clear trash from streets near American Airlines Arena following the parade.