Chalmers Helps Lead Heat to OT Win over Spurs in NBA Finals Game 6

On Tuesday night in Miami, former Kansas Jayhawks guard Mario Chalmers came up big for the defending champs in keeping them going. Chalmers scored 20 points, half of which were scored in the first quarter. Chalmers was named the most valuable player for Kansas during the Jayhawks 2008 NCAA title run. He and the Heat are on the verge of winning the title two years straight now.

Jun 18, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers (15) shoots over San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) during the first quarter of game six in the 2013 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Game seven was forced by the Heat who rallied from a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. Lebron James topped all players with 32 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 11 assists. James became just the fourth NBA player of all-time to score 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He joined former LA Laker James Worthy as the only players to win the game.  Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 30 points, 25 of which came in the first half. Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points to go with 11 rebounds, while Tony Parker came on late to score 19.

San Antonio’s six point half-time lead grew to 10 points after three quarters before the Heat keyed by James rallied quickly. The MVP scored 16 of his 32 in the fourth quarter, including a huge three-pointer to cut the Spurs lead in half with just seconds remaining. After a Leonard free throw was made, Ray Allen drilled a three-pointer to push the game into extra time at a 95-95 dead-lock. James and Allen both pushed the Heat’s lead to three in OT, before Danny Green had one final shot that was swatted away by Chris Bosh.

Now the Heat will get a shot to win consecutive games for the first time since winning four straight vs Chicago in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Game seven is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. central time.