The Heat Was On

The Miami Heat led by series MVP LeBron James, who scored 37 points in the decisive 7th game of the finals, have repeated as NBA champions.

Dwyane Wade added 23 points while Shane Battier came off the bench to contribute 18 points, all on  three point shots, in the (95-88) victory in game seven vs the San Antonio Spurs.

The Heat are now (3-1) in NBA finals while the Spurs fell to (4-1). In all four NBA finals involving the Miami Heat, the game one loser has won the series. This was the first time the game one winner lost in a finals series involving the Spurs.

25 years ago the Pat Riley coached Los Angeles Lakers repeated as NBA champions by winning game seven of the quarterfinals, semi -finals and the finals at home. They also swept a best of five preliminary series, coincidentally vs the Spurs. That was clinched on the road.

This year the Heat with Pat Riley as team president, won game seven of the “semis” and the finals at home to repeat as champions. They clinched their “quarter” at home and swept a best of seven “prelim,” clinching the latter on the road.

The home team is now (21-2) in the seventh and deciding game of the World Series (9 straight wins), NBA finals (6 straight wins) and the NHL finals (home team has lost the last two after winning 6 straight) since the Pirates’ 1979 World Series win at Baltimore vs the Orioles.