Miami Heat's Chris Bosh dives for a ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in Game 1 of their NBA Finals basketball playoff in Miami, Florida, June 6, 2013. [Photo/Agencies] |
Chris Bosh and Ray Allen scored 13 points each for Miami, who were hurt by eight turnovers that included four four in the fourth quarter.
Neither team showed any signs of wilting in the spotlight in the first three quarters as the Spurs kept pace with the Heat, setting the stage for Parker's late game heroics.
The score changed hands four times in the first half as the teams traded baskets in the final seconds of the second quarter.
Duncan came off the bench with just 0.08 seconds to nail a short jump shot at the buzzer to cut the Heat lead to three points at the end of the second. The Spurs made an inbounds pass to Duncan who caught and released the ball in one motion to cut Miami's lead to three points.
Duncan's bucket came seven seconds after Wade took a pass from James and hit a fade away jumper to make it 52-47. Before that, Parker drove to the basket for a layup with 23.1 seconds left to get San Antonio within three, 50-47.
Miami Heat's LeBron James (L) and Dwyane Wade sit on the bench against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in Game 1 of their NBA Finals basketball playoff in Miami, Florida, June 6, 2013. [Photo/Agencies] |
The Heat finished strong in the third quarter by hitting a series of shots from beyond the arc that were set up by James.
Mario Chalmers nailed a three pointer from 24 feet to give Miami a five-point lead and Ray Allen hit a jump shot from 23 feet with 38 seconds left to make it 72-67. James assisted on both baskets.
But Manu Ginobili wasn't going to let Miami off that easy, hitting two free throws with four seconds left to cut the Heat's lead to 72-69 heading into the final quarter.