The San Antonio Spurs ran away with Game 3 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night, eventually dispatching the Miami Heat 111-92 after the home team had managed to draw within seven points midway through the second half. The fact Miami even made it that close was impressive, after the Spurs had built a 21-point first half lead thanks to literally the best shooting half in NBA Finals history. The Spurs shot 75.8%, breaking the record (75%) set by the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals. At one point, the Spurs were shooting a nearly-impossible 90.5% from the field.
Sure, we could go on about the 41-point first quarter, 71-point first half, Kawhi Leonard missing exactly one shot in the first half, etc. but visualizing it — including highlights of every bucket in the blistering-hot first quarter — is a better way to appreciate the absurd brilliance.
The @Spurs just had the best shooting half in #NBAFinals history (75.8%). Previous record was 75% (ORL v. LAL, 2009) pic.twitter.com/68i1aSQJEQ
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) June 11, 2014
Obligatory shot chart update. @Spurs are 19 of 21 (90.5%) from the field, 6/6 from 3, to start the game #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/kCDYDVRPST
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) June 11, 2014