Miami loses game 1, so what!

Based on the last three NBA Finals, the Miami Heat have the San Antonio Spurs right where they want them.  Miami has lost game one in their two most recent NBA Finals visits, only to storm back and win both series.  In 2011 they defeated the Dallas Mavericks in game one of the finals.  Dirk Nowitzki put Dallas on his shoulders and shocked Miami on their home-court in game six.  Losing game one of the finals is not unfamiliar territory for the defending champions.

Miami has done a great job of making adjustments following a playoff loss.  They have gone without losing back-to-back games the entire postseason.  Championship teams find a way to get wins on the road.  Eric Spoelstra and company will be satisfied heading back to South Beach with a 1-1 split.  However, this year the necessity to steal one of the first two games on the road is not as important.  The 2-2-1-1-1 format changes the dynamics of the series.

Greg Popovich is one of the best teachers in NBA history.  Preparation is everything for the Spurs.  With the game one victory, the Spurs are now 6-0 in game one's in the NBA Finals under Popovich.

Both of these teams now know what it felt like playing in the Boston Garden in June in the 1980's.  The opposing locker room was known to reach triple digit temperature's on a regular basis.  Back then it was looked at as gainesmanship.  luckily for LeBron James the A.C malfunction will be corrected for game two.

Tony Parker's health was questionable heading into game one.  Once again Tony was up for the task.  He posted 19 points and eight assist in 36 minutes.  He is still the driver of the Spurs bus.

Manu Ginobili was horrible for the Spurs last postseason.  He made it his business to get in the gym everyday last summer.  Redemption has been on Manu's mind for a year.  He contributed 16 points and 11 assist in game one. 

The drama is still building in the 2014 NBA Finals.  Don't expect the Heat to go quiet.  This series has seven games written all over it.  Lets see if King James can once again rally his troops!