The media could not go five minutes without mentioning the Miami Heat’s 27 game win streak which was the second longest in the history of the game. Lebron James and Dwayne Wade were making critics and fans think that they might not ever lose another game. However, on March 27th at the United Center, in front of their home crowd, the Bulls put a halt to the Heat’s streak, winning 101-97. To Miami haters, it was as if the U.S.A. had just defeated the Soviet Union in 1980 all over again. The celebration would be short lived though as King James got the last laugh by winning his second championship in a row.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Spurs and the Heat gave us one of the more memorable finishes of the year. With the Spurs leading 90-88 and with the ball, there was about a seven second difference between the game clock and shot clock. The Heat was hoping to stop the Spurs and get the ball back with a chance to tie or win the game in the closing seconds. Tony Parker had other plans. Coffin meet nail. With time running out, Parker falls to the ground, keeps his dribble alive, spins, and hits a bank shot with .1 left on the shot clock. Miami’s fan base was devastated until they realized they had only been fans for about 20 minutes.
The Clippers’ Deandre Jordan just…..there are no words that need to be said. R.I.P., Brandon Knight.
This has got to be the most memorable moment in college basketball last season. 15th seeded Florida Gulf Coast was expected to lay down for the 2nd seeded Hoyas of Georgetown but the Eagles destroyed everyone’s bracket and proved white men can jump. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin wish they were the crew from Fort Myers. Seriously, try and find a dunk that set the world on fire like the alley-oop from Brett Comer to Chase Fieler. You can’t.
Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals was so amazing and gut wrenching that it deserves its own Hollywood film. San Antonio seemed to be just moments away from their fifth NBA championship in franchise history. Up by five with 28 seconds to go, the Spurs subbed out Tim Duncan for defensive purposes. Lebron James put up a hideous brick that didn’t even hit the rim but with Duncan out, the Spurs were unable to grab the rebound and somehow James got it back to hit a three pointer with 20 seconds remaining. The Heat would foul Kawhi Leonard and he would only make one of two at the line. Now down 95-92 and with Duncan back on the bench again, the Heat pushed it up the court. James bricked another three but with Duncan out of the game, Miami’s Chris Bosh grabbed the offensive rebound and immediately passed it to Ray Allen in the corner. Allen went all ‘He Got Game’ and hit a game tying three pointer with :5 seconds remaining. The crowd erupted.
Miami would win the game in overtime 103-100. With the huge momentum swing, there was no reason to even watch Game 7. Everyone knew it was inevitable. The Heat would go on to win back-to-back championships.
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports, a surfing enthusiast, a college sports fanatic, and an expert on all things Patrick Swayze. You can follow him on @JoshuaCaudill85 or “like” CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
Photo Credit: (cover photo) Getty
