NBA Finals: San Antonio Spurs score 41 first-quarter points

NBA Finals 2014: San Antonio Spurs score 41 first-quarter points

Jun 10, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) high fives forward Boris Diaw (33) and guard Danny Green (4) during the first half of game three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

When Lebron James scores 14 points in the opening quarter of a game, usually the team on the other end of that spectrum is due for a long night. Except when that team scores 41 points on 13-of-15 shooting from the field.

It’s no secret that the San Antonio Spurs have the best offense in the NBA, but this… this is far beyond the quintessential NBA offense. The 41 point quarter began with Kawhi Leonard attack relentlessly, making his presence felt on offense for the first time this series, and soon the rest would follow.

Here is a breakdown of each player’s first-quarter shooting.

Kawhi Leonard – 16 points (5-of-5 shooting, 3-of-3 3PM)
Danny Green – 6 points (3-of-3 shooting)
Tim Duncan – 6 points (1-of-2 shooting)
Manu Ginobili – 5 points (2-of-2 shooting)
Tiago Splitter – 4 points (

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It’s awe-inspiring to watch a team operate like this, especially against one of the best defenses in the NBA. After last game, it was fair to say the Heat’s defenses made an impact on how San Antonio operated on offense, but with Gregg Popovich opting to insert Boris Diaw into the starting lineup, enchanting an already-potent offense, that defense has had little impact on the these guys. The ball movement was laser precise and with each great batch of defense, the offense near perfect. You know what Mark Jackson says? Great defense, better offense. That’s the only way to describe this spectacle. It’s not often you see teams score 40-plus points, but when it happens it’s a thing of beauty.

It’s gonna take a lot from Lebron James and the Heat to contain this monster.