Tim Duncan ready for NBA Finals, Miami Heat: ‘We’ll do it this time’
The 2014 NBA Finals are going to be a rematch of 2013, with the San Antonio Spurs punching their ticket with a six-game series victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, and going on to meet the Miami Heat once again.
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This time, however, Tim Duncan is certain the outcome will be different than last year’s 4-3 series win by the Heat.
“It’s unbelievable to regain that focus after that devastating loss that we had last year,” San Antonio’s Tim Duncan said via ESPN.com. “But we’re back here. We’re excited about it. We’ve got four more to win. We’ll do it this time.
“We’re happy it’s the Heat again. We’ve got that bad taste in our mouths still.”
How’s that for some confidence?
The normally reserved Duncan isn’t known for making predictions or giving other teams bulletin board material, which makes a statement like this even more surprising.
The Spurs and Heat split two meetings this season, both winning by large margins at home, so there is nothing in the regular season to indicate that either team has a particular advantage.
San Antonio had been 4-0 in Finals appearances prior to last year’s loss to the Heat, and it’s certain the Spurs want to avenge that blemish on their record.
“We know we’re facing a very talented and tough team, and it’s going to be rough,” the Spurs’ Manu Ginobili said. “But of course, we believe in our means and we’re going to do our best, as always.”