Spurs cool the Heat 104-87 for NBA title

The San Antonio Spurs won their fifth NBA title, beating the Miami Heat 104-87 in Game 5 on Sunday, and for the first time since June 21, 2012, the Heat are not NBA champions.

"It's a big disappointment," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "Feeling like this is an incredibly empty feeling."

San Antonio, which outscored the Heat 55-29 over the decisive second and third quarters, was paced in scoring by finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who had 22 points, while Manu Ginobili added 19.

LeBron James the four-time NBA MVP who led the Heat to titles the past two seasons, scored 31 points but was largely ineffective after the first quarter when he had 17 points.

San Antonio lost to the Heat in the finals a year ago, and the Spurs opened the second half on a 18-4 run to seize a 65-44 lead, igniting the crowd hungry for the Spurs’ first title since 2007 and their fifth overall.

A three-point shot by Patty Mills and a jumper by Duncan hiked the Spurs’ lead to 75-53 late in the third quarter and the rout was on.

James hit five of seven shots in the first quarter but nailed only five of 14 the rest of the way. The Heat shot 40 percent from the floor, including just seven of 25 from three-point range.

Miami was the first team to play in four straight finals since the Boston Celtics  in 1984-87, and was hoping to become the first three-time champion since the Los Angeles Lakers  more than a decade ago.

The title was the fifth for the Spurs’ Tim Duncan a 38-year-old, 14-time All-Star who has not yet said if he will continue to play.

"I know it is coming to an end," he said after Sunday's triumph. "I don't know if I will have a chance to do this again... It's a real emotional time."

For the Heat, it’s a time of questions. James, Wade and Bosh can all opt out of their contracts and become free agents. They'll likely all tell the Heat their plans by June 29, or two days before the free-agency window opens. Shane Battier is retiring, his career ending after 13 seasons on Sunday night. Just about everyone else, including Mario Chalmers — who came off the bench for the first time in three years Sunday — is a free agent.

Just about every spot on the roster could be up for grabs. Backup point guard Norris Cole is under contract for next season and little-used center Justin Hamilton has a partially guaranteed deal, though he expects to be in Miami.

As for James, he has given no indication if he's leaving. He hasn't said he's staying, either.

"I'm in a good place in my life," James said Saturday. "It's basketball ... the greatest sport in the world. I love it. It's done so many great things for me, but it's just basketball. It's just basketball. I go all into it. I give everything to this game."

Wire services