The Miami Heat Big 3’s championship roads were bumpier than expected considering their roster. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh’s first season together ended with a disastrous collapse against Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks in the Finals. In year two, they dominated a relatively young and inexperienced Oklahoma City Thunder squad before being pushed to the brink the next season against a conversely experienced San Antonio Spurs. With their legacy in danger, down three with seconds remaining in an elimination game, Miami would be saved by a veteran star, and one of their old rivals.
RAY ALLEN SAVED THE HEAT’S CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES WITH MIRACLE THREE
Ray Allen left the Boston Celtics to join the Miami Heat in 2012 after years of rising tensions. The move left a bad taste in the mouths his former teammates, as Miami had been their bitter rival. The Heat were seeking their second consecutive championship that season. They entered the playoffs with a league-high 66 wins.
Their first sign of trouble came in a rematch against Paul George’s Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The series went seven games, but Miami ultimately prevailed and returned to the Finals to face the Spurs. San Antonio was different than the OKC team from the prior year, and would pose a far greater challenge. With seasoned champions Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, as well as an all-time head coach in Gregg Popovich, the Spurs went up 3-2 in the series and looked ready to close it out up three with seconds remaining in Game 6.
With one last possession, Miami got the ball to LeBron who missed the game tying shot. Chris Bosh snagged the rebound and passed it out to Ray Allen who was able to connect forcing overtime, the most iconic moment of his career. Miami won in OT and went on to win Game 7 for their second consecutive championship, the final of the Big Three era.
June 18, 2013: Miami #Heat SG Ray Allen hit a game-tying 3PM with 5 seconds remaining to send Game 6 to OT after a clutch Chris Bosh offensive rebound, where MIA would beat San Antonio 103-100, forcing a Game 7 for the eventual back-to-back champions pic.twitter.com/hoMwybLY9Q
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 18, 2021
Share this Ray Allen Game 6 article with friends and follow for more great sports content!
