The Miami Heat stepped into Game 5 down by 3-1 and it appeared at one point that LeBron and crew were on a mission to see a Game 6 as they came out very aggressively and dashed to an 8-0 lead to begin the game; and then continued to sprint with a 22-6 lead over the Spurs in the first quarter. But the Spurs were not having it and shot back hard and by the end of the quarter were narrowing Miami’s lead within seven by a score of 29-22.

In the second quarter, the Spurs bounced all the way back first to tie the game and then to lead by seven and take over the game by 19 at the end of the third quarter with the Spurs up 77-58.
From that point, it was no looking back for Duncan and crew as the Spurs spun out of control with basket after basket. The Spurs reigned victoriously with a 104-87 blowout sending King James home empty-handed; and winning the 2014 NBA Championship title.

Spurs 22-year-old forward Kawhi Leonard received the NBA Finals MVP award. That honor puts Leonard in the class of one of the youngest players to do so, just as his teammate Tim Duncan did 15 years ago also at the tender age of 22. Leonard had 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Just for the record, James finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds and also a team-leading five assists, Dwayne Wade scored only 11 points and Chris Bosh finished with 13 points. Looks like the Heat have a lot of reflecting to do during the off-season. Like who will be playing with whom next year.

This is the fifth NBA championship title for the San Antonio Spurs, with championship wins in 199, 2003, 2005 and 2007, all under the leadership of Coach Gregg Popovich who is only with of three coach in NBA history to win Coach of the Year three times.

sheilarayreed@houstonsun.com