NBA Finals Game Six Preview

With the series tied 3-2 and headed back to Miami, the Heat have a chance to do something only three other franchises in NBA history since the finals switched to a 3-2-3 format, win two in a row at home to win the series after a 3-2 deficit. It would be a good feat, but it is tough to see that happening considering they have not won back-to-back games in 12 games. It will be very interesting to see how the rest of the series plays out since Miami's backs are against the ropes and San Antonio is very adept at putting teams away in close out games.

The Spurs need a performance from Manu like the one that they got in game five. If he continue to play like he did last game, the Spurs should be able to run away with game six. I doubt he will play as well as he did in game five because I don't think the Heat will let him get into the lane as often as he did in game five. I believe he will stay in the starting lineup because it seemed to work. Tony Parker, as always, is the key to the Spurs' success. When he has played well, they have won, when he was inefficient, they lost. I think he will play well again, as it looks like his hamstring injury healed. He seems to have found a spring in his step and is back to terrorizing Miami's defense. Tim Duncan has been very solid this series. He gets his points down low and he can dominate Chris Bosh or anyone else on the Heat for rebounds. I suspect that he will have another very solid game that is highlighted by his work on the boards.

Kawhi Leonard has played very well on offense this series, let alone his spectacular defense. He has been hitting the open shots that Miami is leaving him and getting to the lane. His defense has been spectacular on LeBron, but it was Diaw who bothered him the most in game five. It will be interesting to see if they stick Diaw on him or if they try to play with LeBron's head and play someone else on him. Danny Green has been sensational for the entire series and I don't expect a drop off in his production, especially if the heat keep leaving him open. I expect the Spurs to put together another good game, especially on offense.

LeBron James need to play much better than he did in game five. If Boris Diaw is guarding him, he needs to blow by him every time and not settle for jumpers. He also cannot let Leonard out gun him on the boards. He needs to use his big body to get Leonard out of the way. His presence on the board is much needed considering Bosh does almost nothing in that arena. Bosh has stepped up his offensive game in the last couple of games, but has not played well overall. He still needs to stop the Spurs from getting rebounds and play much better defense. I don't think he will improve much because he will be going against Duncan in the small ball lineup and Duncan is better in every facet of the game. Dwyane Wade has played like a completely different player the last two games, or maybe I should say he is playing like the old Wade. I think he will play very well in game six, but I don't know if it will be enough to pull off the win.

Ray Allen was on fire in game five, but he has been off and on for the entire series. His defense is also poor, which leaves the Heat at risk every time he is on the court. I think Udonis Haslem will reenter the starting lineup for Miller, as he has been very ineffective in his two starts. If Haslem starts, it will be interesting to see how well Leonard plays him, assuming his starts off on him. I think it would be an even matchup when the Heat have the ball, however, when the Spurs have the ball, that is a very big mismatch.

I believe the Spurs will escape with the win to close out the series. They are not going to be fazed in Miami, Popvich will have them very ready for this game. The Spurs are exceptional in closeout games and that should not change. The Heat will bring all they can, I expect good games from James and Wade, but they will not be able to pick up the slack of all of the other players. This has been a very good series and nobody should be disappointed from what they saw from a pure fan standpoint.