Manu Gives Spurs Spark to Beat Heat, Take 3-2 Finals Lead

An intriguing move by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to put the previously struggling Manu Ginobili into the Game 5 starting lineup paid off wildly for the San Antonio Spurs, as he scored 24 points and had 10 assists to lead them to a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals on Sunday night. It was one of those games in which you look at LeBron James’ big numbers and shake your head in disbelief. Didn’t seem like a strong game from him, but the box score said otherwise. The Heat failed to win consecutive games yet again, despite 25 points from both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. They are headed home to Miami with their backs to the wall. That’s exactly where they like to be.