Spurs not overconfident after Game 1
6/8/2014SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs are on an unprecedented postseason roll that not even a boatload of turnovers in Game 1 of the NBA finals could stop.
They probably ruined Tim Duncan's hopes of a career change.
Duncan wants to be a point guard, coach Gregg Popovich revealed Saturday, a wish that won't be granted. But Duncan would gladly settle for another championship, and the Spurs would be halfway there by beating Miami later today in Game 2.
The Spurs have won eight straight postseason home games by 15 or more points, an NBA record, but know as well as anyone that a one-game lead means nothing against the Heat.
LeBron James expects to be fully ready for the Heat, who also dropped the opener last year in the finals against the Spurs, and in 2012 to Oklahoma City. Miami is 5-0 in series with James when dropping the opener, rebounding to win Game 2 every time.
The Heat were in position to win Game 1 before James departed with cramps. The Spurs committed 23 turnovers that not only led to 28 Miami points but also prevented them from getting the ball more often to Duncan, who shot 9 of 10 from the field.
Popovich said Duncan never demands more shots, even when he is in a good rhythm.
“No, the only thing Timmy has ever demanded is he wants to play the point,” Popovich said.
The Spurs don't need another point guard, not after Tony Parker looked healthy while posting 19 points and eight assists in the opener after missing the second half of the Western Conference finals clincher with a sore left ankle.
With Parker seemingly fine, James' health remained the focus. He practiced Saturday and was still receiving treatments in hopes of preventing more cramping. It also should help that the air conditioning inside the AT&T Center has been repaired.
“You can't think about what may happen in the third or fourth quarter,” James said.