NBA Finals: Tim Duncan Calls Game 5 a ‘Must-Win’ for San Antonio Spurs
By Eric He
Before Game 2 of the NBA Finals with his team down 1-0 in the series, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade called it a “must-win” for the Miami Heat.
Now, with the series tied at 2-2, San Antonio Spurs center Tim Duncan is dubbing Game 5 a “must-win” for the San Antonio Spurs.
“It is a must‑win,” Duncan told the media on Sunday. “We don’t want to go back down there down a game with two games remaining at their house. It is a must‑win situation.”
Um, really?
“It is a must-win situation”?
I’m pretty sure that if they lose, they’re only down 3-2 in the series, so it really isn’t a “must-win situation.”
“Obviously if we lose this game, we’re not giving up or anything, but we want to go back up with a chance to finish there,” he continued. “Huge pressure if we have to go back there and try to win two.”
That’s a much better way to break it down. I always find it strange when athletes refer to games as a “must-win” when they’re really not, and this is a prime example.
Yes, Game 5 is crucial, and will be a huge momentum swing for whoever wins. The Spurs do not want to head to Miami having to win both games to win the series, so winning Game 5 will be pivotal for them.
However, it is not a must-win, because it just isn’t.