Spurs push Heat to brink, Win Game 5, 114-104

The Heat trailed by as many as 20 points against the Spurs in Game 5 and didn't have enough to withstand all the runs to Spurs went on. The Spurs won the game down the stretch 1140-104.

In the first quarter, the game was tied at 17 and saw the Spurs go on a 12-0 run. Later the Spurs went on a 10-0 run before halftime, and in the second half, the Spurs took a 21-2 run to blow the game open. With three minutes to go in the third quarter, the Heat trailed by one point, 75-74. The Spurs then blew it open as Miami looked terrible on offense and never got closer than 8 points.

The Spurs were ignited by Manu Ginobili who got his first start all season. He scored 24 points and had 10 assists to spark the crowd. The Spurs continue to get unbelievable shooting from Danny Green who also had 24 points with 6 three-pointers. Tony Parker had 26 points, 17 from Tim Duncan and 16 from Kawhi Leonard - the Spurs just spread the ball around and destroyed Miami late in the game. They shot 60% from the field for the game.

The Heat, although in a losing fashion this time, got a good showing from Dwyane Wade who had 25 points and 10 assists. The second straight game that he has played like the Wade he is capable of. LeBron James also had 25 points but shot only 8-22. James really struggled in this one and will need to be more efficient moving forward. Chris Bosh played well but wasn't as much of a factor as he was in Game 4.

Despite Ray Allen scoring 21 points on 4-4 threes (and becoming the first player in Finals history to record two 4-point plays in one game), the story continues to be Danny Green (25-38 3PFG for series). Green broke Allen's NBA Finals record of three-pointers in a series, and he seems to end bad Spurs' possessions with a deep three.

It seemed as though it was Gregg Popovich who dictated the lineups in this one, starting Ginobili and giving Boris Diaw more minutes than Tiago Splitter. Spoelstra in turn removed the inefficient Norris Cole from majority minutes and played only Ray Allen and Shane Battier in double figure minutes off the bench. Game 6 will be a test to see who can impose their will on the opponent.

Miami at times couldn't get into the offense that they wanted, and frankly on defense - the Spurs hit shots. The resurgence of Ginobili was a big boost in the confidence and mojo of this team after a tough Game 4 defeat. Tony Parker really hurt Miami in isolation against anyone that was guarding him.

The Heat gave up 50 points in the paint to the Spurs and the left a lot at the rim as well. Countless layups or botched transition opportunities cost the Heat any chance of making this closer.

The Heat will need to regroup and prepare to hold off the Spurs and win two in a row - something they haven't done in nearly a month.