One more

Despite a down-right ugly performance by the entire Spurs squad, they are now one mere win away from their fourth championship in the last nine years after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 75-72.  In fact, last night's game was one of the lowest scoring games in the history of the NBA finals.  The Spurs were led by defensive specialist Bruce Bowen, who made 4 of 5 shots from the three-point range, and Tony Parker, who led the Spurs in scoring with 17 points.

The Cavaliers missed out on a valuable opportunity to win and close the gap on the Spurs.  The game was close throughout the fourth quarter, where the Spurs committed 4 turn-overs and went for long stretches without scoring.  The Cavaliers had numerous open looks, but couldn't get anything to drop.  Inexperience and youth certainly played into the Cavaliers' misfortune.  During one fast break, Lebron was driving lane, met a double team, and passed the ball to Anderson Varejao.  Instead of passing back to James for a game-tying layup, Varejao took a wild, half-handed shot and missed.

Also, a controversial last play could have sent the game into overtime.  Bruce Bowen appeared to foul Lebron James with 4.9 seconds left, just as Lebron launched an unsuccessful 3 point shot.  The foul was not called, regulation time ran out, and the game ended.  The score would have been tied if Lebron was given the opportunity and able to make all three free throws. 

For the Spurs, the win was not glamorous, nor are any of the plays worthy of Top 10 Status on Sports Center.  They did, however, hang on to survive their own ethereal shadows. The taste of victory is omnipresent. 


Lebron James shots over Tim Duncan in last night's game.