The clash between San Antonio and Miami was nothing short of a tale of two halves. The Spurs, fueled by a stellar opening from Victor Wembanyama (11 points in the first quarter, finishing with 21 alongside Devin Vassell’s 23), surged to a 13-point led by the end of the first quarter, seemingly dominating the game. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as the Spurs inexplicably faded, allowing Miami to seize complete control. After a shaky start with 0/8 from beyond the arc, the Heat found their rhythm, sinking 18 of their next 25 three-point attempts. A 20-2 run to close the first half set the stage for their dominance, and they exploded for 46 points in the third quarter alone, compared to San Antonio’s 27. The final period became a mere formality,despite the Spurs’ late efforts,as Miami cruised to victory. This marked the Spurs’ final game in the U.S. before heading to Paris, where they’ll face Indiana in back-to-back matchups (both available live on Sky Sports).
Rookie Kel’el Ware Outshines Wembanyama with 25 Points
The game’s turning point was largely attributed to the notable performance of rookie Kel’el Ware, who rose to the occasion against Wembanyama. Ware finished with 25 points and 8 rebounds, boasting a staggering +27 plus-minus rating. He led the charge for Miami, overshadowing contributions from Duncan Robinson (21 points) and Terry Rozier (20 points). tyler Herro (18), Nikola Jovic (14), and Jaime Jaquez (12) also made important impacts, all scoring in double figures. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler played a controlled game, contributing 8 points and 7 assists in under 28 minutes, allowing his teammates to shine.
Inside the Game: A Debate on Spurs vs. Heat with NBA Legend Tim Duncan
Welcome back to Inside the Game, where we break down the latest in sports with some of the biggest names in the industry. Today, we’re dissecting the thrilling clash between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat—a game of two halves that left fans on the edge of their seats. Joining us for this exclusive interview is none other than NBA Hall of Famer and Spurs legend, Tim Duncan.
Tim, thank you for being here. Let’s dive right in. The spurs started strong,led by Victor Wembanyama’s 11 points in the first quarter,but they ultimately fell apart. What do you think went wrong?
Tim Duncan: Thanks for having me. It’s always great to talk basketball. yeah, the Spurs came out firing, and Wemby looked unstoppable early on. But basketball is a game of adjustments, and Miami made theirs. The Spurs’ defense collapsed,and Miami’s three-point shooting was just unreal. You can’t win games when your opponent hits 18 of 25 threes after a slow start.
I agree—the Heat’s shooting was electric. But what about the Spurs’ offense? They seemed to lose their rhythm after the first quarter.
Tim Duncan: Absolutely. They started strong, but they didn’t sustain it. Devin Vassell had a great game with 23 points, but the team as a whole struggled to create consistent offense. Wemby finished with 21, but he seemed to fade as the game went on. And when your star player isn’t dominating, it’s tough to keep up with a team like Miami.
Speaking of stars,let’s talk about Kel’el Ware.The rookie outshined Wembanyama with 25 points and a +27 plus-minus rating. Were you surprised by his performance?
Tim Duncan: Not at all. ware’s got talent, and he showed it. He’s a versatile big man who can score inside and out, and he played with confidence.Wemby’s still adjusting to the NBA, and while he’s an amazing talent, rookies can have off nights. Ware took advantage of that.
It’s interesting you mention Ware’s confidence. Do you think the Spurs underestimated him, or was it just a case of Miami executing their game plan?
Tim Duncan: I think it’s a bit of both.The Spurs might not have expected Ware to step up like he did, but Miami’s coaching staff deserves credit. They put him in positions to succeed, and he delivered.That’s the NBA—every game, someone new can step up and be the difference-maker.
Let’s shift gears to Jimmy butler. He had a quiet night with just 8 points and 7 assists in under 28 minutes. Was this a case of him letting his teammates carry the load, or do you think he was held in check?
tim Duncan: Jimmy’s a smart player. He knows when to take a backseat and let his teammates shine. Miami’s offense was rolling, so he didn’t need to force anything. That’s what makes him so valuable—he can impact the game in so many ways without scoring.
The Spurs are headed to paris for back-to-back games against Indiana. What do they need to do to bounce back?
Tim Duncan: They need to regroup and focus on their identity. They’ve got the talent, but they need to play consistent basketball for 48 minutes. Defense has to be a priority, and they’ve got to get Wemby more involved down the stretch.
Great insights, Tim. before we wrap up, I’d love to hear from our readers. What do you think went wrong for the Spurs? Was it the defense, the offense, or just Miami’s hot shooting? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
That’s all for today’s episode of Inside the Game. A huge thank you to Tim Duncan for joining us and breaking down this exciting matchup. Be sure to tune in to Sky Sports for the Spurs’ games in Paris, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more exclusive content. Until next time, keep the debate alive!
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Keywords: San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Victor Wembanyama, Kel’el Ware, NBA, Tim Duncan, three-point shooting, Devin Vassell, Jimmy butler, Sky Sports, paris games, basketball analysis, sports debate.
