Miami Heat meet the San Antonio Spurs WATCH FREE: GAME Two NBA Finals for World Championship of Basketball from A T & T Center at 8:00 PM ET
The Spurs are on an unprecedented postseason roll that not even a boatload of turnovers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals could stop.
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.
"That's why I think we can't be satisfied," said point guard Tony Parker. "Because we were in the same situation and we know they can win here, and so we just have to go out there and play our game and try to win this one. I think it's a big game for the series."
A 2-0 deficit would surely bring loads of unwanted attention to what's already one of the most scrutinized players and teams in sports.
The Heat were in position to win Game 1 before LeBron 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 Tim Duncan, who shot 9 of 10 from the field.
Popovich said Duncan never demands more shots, even when he is in a good rhythm like he was Thursday.
"No, the only thing Timmy has ever demanded is he wants to play the point and he thinks I've held him back," Popovich said. "True story. He thinks he's a point guard."
Duncan is one of the best power forwards in NBA history but likes to think like a little guy, though he realizes he hurt his chances of getting to actually play the part of one.
"After my five turnovers the other night, I think I took a step back from that," he said. "I don't think that I'm going to be able to step up and fill that role for a little while. But, no, I enjoy getting in the middle of the floor and making decisions and getting the ball to the right place, and that's what a point guard's got to do."
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, but he won't be worrying about that, anyway.
"You can't think about what may happen in the third or fourth quarter. Live in the moment," James said. "And for me, whatever I can give my teammates if it happens again, hopefully I can make an impact while I'm on the floor and that's all that matters to me."
The game is live streaming on espn/watchespn.com
