The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Miami Heat 111-92 on Tuesday in Game 3 of the NBA Finals with a record-breaking offensive performance in the first half.
According to the Associated Press, the Spurs finished 25-for-33 (75.8 percent) in the first half, surpassing the 75 percent shooting from the Orlando Magic against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2009 Finals.
San Antonio’s shooting performance in the first half was one for the ages and a complete team effort.
As Sports Illustrated noted Kawhi Leonard, who was basically a non-factor in Games 1 & 2, made his first six shots and led the team with 18 first-half points. Danny Green and Tim Duncan also scored double-digits before halftime.
The Spurs headed into the locker room with a 21-point lead, only to watch Miami claw its way back in the third quarter and get within seven points. However, the Heat were playing catch up and could not get a second-half lead.
Leonard led San Antonio with 29 points, followed by Tony Parker and Green who each had 15. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both scored 22 points and Rashard Lewis contributed 14.
In Game 4, the two-time defending champions hope to be better prepared for what their challengers have in store and even the series before leaving South Beach. While the Spurs are hoping to continue its offensive onslaught and get back to the AT&T Center with a two-game series lead.