MIAMI HEAT: BACK TO BACK NBA CHAMPIONS

They validated themselves and proved all the critics wrong again. The Miami Heat may have won the title last year, but they just got branded with a brand new name: Back-to-back NBA champions. After winning a thrilling seven-game series against a veteran and battle-proven team in the San Antonio Spurs.

Photos ©NBA.com

In a series where prior to Game 7, the odd games went the way of the Spurs and the even games went the way of the Heat. A series where Spurs guard Danny Green broke an NBA Finals series record with 27 three pointers in the entire series. A series where the Spurs veteran Big 3 of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili went up against the Heat's version of the Big 3 in LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Where all the role players stepped up in big games like Miami's Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Mike Miller, Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole to San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard, Gary Neal, Danny Green, Boris Diaw and Tiago Splitter. A series where big shots and plays were made on both ends of the court.

But when it all came to Game 7, when the Spurs could not deliver the big punch to grasp the title for a fifth time in their history and when the Heat took advantage of every lapse the Spurs gave them. The Heat once again stood atop of the mountain in the basketball world. LeBron James who led the Heat in their quest for a repeat and scored at will in Game 7, was named the Finals MVP for the second straight season. The series loss for the Spurs marks their first defeat in an NBA Finals series in franchise history after coming out successful in their  four trips to the NBA Finals prior to this and once again, the home team came out on top in a Game 7 situation where no road team since the 2-3-2 format for the NBA Finals has won in Game 7.

Once again, congratulations to the Miami Heat. Your 2013 NBA Champions.

Give credit as well to the San Antonio Spurs. They fought hard in a great series like this one.

Now here are the scores from all games of the series:

GAME 1 @ Miami: Spurs 92-88 Heat

Spurs leaders:

Points: Parker 21, Duncan 20, Ginobili 13

Rebounds: Duncan 14, Leonard 10, Green 5

Assists: Parker 6, Duncan 4, Ginobili 3

Heat leaders:
Points: James 18, Wade 17, Bosh 13, Allen 13

Rebounds: James 18, Bosh 5, Haslem 4, Miller 4

Assists: James 10, Cole 4, Wade 2, Chalmers 2

GAME 2 @ Miami: Spurs 84-103 Heat

Spurs leaders:

Points: Green 17, Parker 13, Neal 10

Rebounds: Leonard 14, Duncan 11, Blair 4

Assists: Parker 5, Leonard 2, Diaw 2, McGrady 2

Heat leaders:

Points: Chalmers 19, James 17, Allen 13

Rebounds: Bosh 10, James 8, Chalmers 4, Andersen 4

Assists: James 7, Wade 6, Bosh 4

GAME 3 @ San Antonio: Heat 77-113 Spurs

Heat leaders:

Points: Wade 16, James 15, Miller 15

Rebounds: James 11, Bosh 10, Haslem 3, Battier 3, Anthony 3

Assists: Wade 5, James 5, Bosh 4

Spurs leaders:

Points: Green 27, Neal 24, Leonard 14

Rebounds: Duncan 14, Leonard 12, Splitter 5

Assists: Parker 8, Ginobili 6, Joseph 4

GAME 4 @ San Antonio: Heat 109-93 Spurs

Heat leaders:

Points: James 33, Wade 32, Bosh 20

Rebounds: Bosh 13, James 11, Wade 6

Assists: Chalmers 5, James 4, Wade 4, Cole 4

Spurs leaders:

Points: Duncan 20, Parker 15, Neal 13

Rebounds: Leonard 7, Duncan 5, Parker 4, Green 4

Assists: Parker 9, Green 4, Ginobili 2

GAME 5 @ San Antonio: Heat 104-114 Spurs

Heat leaders:

Points: James 25, Wade 25, Allen 21

Rebounds: James 6, Bosh 6, Miller 5

Assists: Wade 10, James 8, Battier 3

Spurs leaders:

Points: Parker 26, Ginobili 24, Green 24

Rebounds: Duncan 12, Leonard 8, Green 6

Assists: Ginobili 10, Parker 5, Diaw 3

GAME 6 @ Miami: Spurs 100-103 Heat (OT)

Spurs leaders:

Points: Duncan 30, Leonard 22, Parker 19

Rebounds: Duncan 17, Leonard 11

Assists: Parker 8, Ginobili 3, Splitter 2

Heat leaders:

Points: James 32, Chalmers 20, Wade 14

Rebounds: Bosh 11, James 10, Miller 7

Assists: James 11, Wade 4

GAME 7 @ Miami: Spurs 88-95 Heat

Spurs leaders:

Points: Duncan 24, Leonard 19, Ginobili 18

Rebounds: Leonard 16, Duncan 12, Green 5

Assists: Ginobili 5, Parker 4, Duncan 2

Heat leaders:

Points: James 37, Wade 23, Battier 18

Rebounds: James 12, Wade 10

Assists: James 4, Allen 4, Bosh 2, Chalmers 2

Heat win series 4-3

Another season of NBA basketball has come to an end, we'll see you again next season.

K-Smoove

Spurs get "SWEEP" revenge to advance to the NBA Finals.

Two years ago, the San Antonio Spurs suffered a tough defeat in the first round against the Memphis Grizzlies, this year they got their redemption as they knocked off the Grizzlies in a sweep of the Western Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals for the fifth time in franchise history.

Photos ©NBA

The Grizzlies pulled off their best season in franchise history as they made the trip to the Western Conference Finals for the first time after knocking out the reigning West champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. Led by Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Tony Allen. The Grizzlies used defense to their advantage in making the trip this season. Unfortunately for them, they suffered a ton of setbacks that led them getting swept by the Spurs. Their offense struggled throughout the series as they struggled shooting the ball on all ends from three point shooting to free throw shooting. Randolph also got a handful against the Spurs defense which have gone back up to the level we used to see them of. Add to that, they suffered a couple of heartbreaking overtime defeats in this series. To put everything in place, they lost to a better team.

The Spurs came in the series after knocking out the Golden State Warriors in 6 games, and came out swinging in the series, blowing the Grizzlies in Game 1, then pulling off two straight overtime victories before sweeping the brooms in Game 4. The Spurs are a better offensive team than what we have seen from them in previous years as defense had been a staple for this franchise. Tony Parker shot magnificently throughout the series and the Spurs were able to dissect the Grizzlies defense apart with tough screens and great ball movement, something we haven't seen from them most of the times. Add to that, the shot the free throws well throughout the series. Tim Duncan turned back the clock with his near unstoppable plays. Players like Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter have also contributed big in this run for them. Now they return to the NBA Finals where they won it all in four trips, the last one was in 2007. They'll be ready to bring the title back to the Alamo City, six years after they last won it.

The Spurs will face the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers. The series currently stands with the Heat leading 2-1.

As for the Grizzlies, their magnificent playoff comes to a tough and bitter end. Now the question looms on the players that will stay and go for this franchise. Even the fate of head coach Lionel Hollins is in question. They had a great run this year, but they lost to a better team.

Here are the scores from all games of the series:

GAME 1 @ San Antonio: Grizzlies 85-103 Spurs

Grizzlies leaders:

Points: Pondexter 17, Gasol 15, Conley 14

Rebounds: Gasol 7, Randolph 7

Assists: Conley 8, Bayless 5

Spurs leaders:

Points: Parker 20, Leonard 18, Green 16

Rebounds: Duncan 10, Ginobili 5, Green 4

Assists: Parker 9, Duncan 4, Ginobili 3, Green 3

GAME 2 @ San Antonio: Grizzlies 89-93 Spurs (OT)

Grizzlies leaders:

Points: Conley 18, Bayless 18, Randolph 15

Rebounds: Randolph 18, Gasol 14, Pondexter 9

Assists: Conley 4, Gasol 4, Randolph 3, Bayless 3

Spurs leaders:

Points: Duncan 17, Parker 15, Splitter 14

Rebounds: Duncan 9, Leonard 9, Parker 5, Joseph 5

Assists: Parker 18, Ginobili 4, Duncan 3

GAME 3 @ Memphis: Spurs 104-93 Grizzlies (OT)

Spurs leaders:

Points: Parker 26, Duncan 24, Ginobili 19

Rebounds: Leonard 11, Duncan 10, Ginobili 7

Assists: Parker 5, Duncan 5, Ginobili 5

Grizzlies leaders:

Points: Conley 20, Gasol 16, Pondexter 15

Rebounds: Randolph 15, Gasol 14, Allen 7

Assists: Gasol 5, Conley 4, Bayless 4

GAME 4 @ Memphis: Spurs 93-86 Grizzlies

Spurs leaders:

Points: Parker 37, Duncan 15, Leonard 11

Rebounds: Duncan 8, Ginobili 6, Leonard 6

Assists: Parker 6, Ginobili 6, Splitter 3, Diaw 3

Grizzlies leaders:

Points: Pondexter 22, Gasol 14, Randolph 13

Rebounds: Randolph 8, Allen 8, Conley 6, Arthur 6

Assists: Conley 7, Gasol 5

Spurs win series 4-0

K-Smoove

Spurs are back in the Western Conference Finals.

In a battle of youth vs experience. Experience got the better of this match-up as the second seeded San Antonio Spurs are heading back to the Western Conference Finals as they defeat the sixth seeded Golden State Warriors in six games as the Spurs are in the West Finals for a second straight season.

Photos ©NBA

The Warriors, after pulling of a major upset of the third seeded Denver Nuggets in six games, they came in as the lowest seeded team to come out of the first round and these young players led by sweet shooting Stephen Curry battled against a tested veteran team and gave it their all in this series. They manage to win two games in the series including one on the road. However, the more experienced Spurs team came out and delivered when it all mattered the most. Fueled by a frenzied fanbase which pack up their home floor dressed in yellow and pecking the decibel meter up to the roofs every single home game. These young bloods have achieved a nice run with players surrounding Curry like Klay Thompson, David Lee, Harrison Barnes, Carl Landry and Jarrett Jack to name a nice lineup the Warriors had. However, their playoff run comes to an end this time around.

As for the Spurs, they came into the series well rested after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. The extra rest they got proved to be beneficial especially on a veteran core that they have on the line up. Their experience proved to be a factor in their series as shown by their poise in an thrilling Game 1 victory at home as well as picking up two wins in front of a raucous "Roaracle" Arena crowd in Oakland. Their triumvirate of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have delivered when it all mattered for the Spurs. Now their quest back to glory will continue as they look to have another shot at an NBA championship as these three men are winding down their decorated NBA careers.

The Spurs will now face the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals. In a rematch of their first round matchup from 2011 when the then eight-seeded Grizzlies knocked off the then top seeded Spurs in six games. Despite having to go through personnel changes over the two years since they last met in the playoffs, expect the same old ballgame that we saw from both teams two years back.

As for the Warriors, their remarkable season comes to an end. This young team will be a team to fear for many years to come. The players on their roster still have a ton of growth ahead of them and this deep playoff experience they had will make them better for even deeper playoff runs when their time comes.

Here are the scores from all games of the series:

GAME 1 @ San Antonio: Warriors 127-129 Spurs (2OT)

Warriors leaders:

Points: Curry 44, Thompson 19, Barnes 19

Rebounds: Bogut 15, Barnes 12, Dr. Green 7

Assists: Curry 11, Bogut 4, Thompson 3

Spurs leaders:

Points: Parker 28, Da. Green 22, Duncan 19

Rebounds: Duncan 11, Leonard 9, Parker 8

Assists: Ginobili 11, Parker 8, Leonard 3

GAME 2 @ San Antonio: Warriors 100-91 Spurs

Warriors leaders:

Points: Thompson 34, Curry 22, Barnes 13

Rebounds: Thompson 14, Bogut 11, Landry 8

Assists: Dr. Green 5, Curry 4, Jack 4

Spurs leaders:

Points: Duncan 23, Parker 20, Ginobili 12

Rebounds: Leonard 12, Duncan 9, Parker 6, Da. Green 6

Assists: Ginobili 4, Parker 3

GAME 3 @ Golden State: Spurs 102-92 Warriors

Spurs leaders:

Points: Parker 32, Duncan 23, Leonard 15

Rebounds: Duncan 10, Leonard 9, Parker 5, Ginobili 5

Assists: Parker 5, Ginobili 4, Duncan 3, Da. Green 3

Warriors leaders:

Points: Thompson 17, Curry 16, Landry 14

Rebounds: Bogut 12, Thompson 8, Barnes 8

Assists: Curry 8, Landry 4, Thompson 2, Barnes 2

GAME 4 @ Golden State: Spurs 87-97 Warriors (OT)

Spurs leaders:

Points: Ginobili 21, Duncan 19, Parker 17

Rebounds: Duncan 16, Leonard 8, Da. Green 7

Assists: Ginobili 3, Parker 3, Diaw 3, Splitter 3

Warriors leaders:

Points: Barnes 26, Jack 24, Curry 22

Rebounds: Bogut 18, Barnes 10, Jack 7

Assists: Curry 4, Jack 4, Landry 4

GAME 5 @ San Antonio: Warriors 91-109 Spurs

Warriors leaders:

Points: Barnes 25, Jack 20, Landry 16

Rebounds: Barnes 7, Landry 6, Bogut 6

Assists: Curry 8, Landry 2, Bogut 2, Jack 2

Spurs leaders:

Points: Parker 25, Leonard 17, Da. Green 16

Rebounds: Duncan 11, Leonard 7, Splitter 6

Assists: Parker 10, Ginobili 5

GAME 6 @ Golden State: Spurs 94-82 Warriors

Spurs leaders:

Points: Duncan 19, Leonard 16, Splitter 14

Rebounds: Leonard 10, Duncan 6, Ginobili 6, Diaw 6

Assists: Ginobili 11, Parker 8, Diaw 4

Warriors leaders:

Points: Curry 22, Jack 15, Landry 11

Rebounds: Bogut 7, Ezeli 7, Landry 6

Assists: Curry 6, Thompson 3, Lee 2

Spurs win series 4-2

K-Smoove

"Texas Sized Sweep" in Hollywood.

In a battle of two of the most decorated and battled tested teams in the Western Conference. The team from the Lone Star State dealt a sweep on the team wearing the purple and gold for the second time in three seasons. As the steady San Antonio Spurs knocked off a injury-riddled Los Angeles Lakers out of the playoffs in a sweep to advance to the second round.

 Photos ©NBA

The Lakers dealt with a lot of injury issues throughout their short playoff run this season as they lost the big star in Kobe Bryant to a knee injury prior to the start of the playoffs. But it wasn't only Vino who got the injury bug as almost every Laker player went through injuries throughout the season from Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Metta World Peace, Jodie Meeks to name some on a season where expectations on this star-studded lineup were very high and unfortunately, ends up on a massive tail-spin which will be remembered for many years to come. Last time the Lakers got swept in the playoffs was 2 years back when another Texas team, the Dallas Mavericks took them out in the second round on their way to the NBA championship. However the difference this year is that the Spurs swept the Lakers on the road. Unlike the Mavericks who swept the Lakers on their home floor.

The steady Spurs took out the Lakers by a margin of almost 19 points a game. Led by their veteran triumvirate of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. The healthier Spurs took full advantage of the Lakers' injury woes. Including two huge road victories to wrap the series. The Spurs also enjoy a huge supporting cast featuring Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Tiago Splitter, Gary Neal, and Matt Bonner to name a few. Of course, directed by their long-time head coach Gregg Popovich. The Spurs are poised to put their six year Finals absence behind them and win it all as their Drive for Five continues.

The Spurs will face the winner of the series between the Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors.

As for the Lakers, there are a ton of questions coming up for them in the off-season as Dwight Howard will be a free agent this season. As well as a ton of players on the trading block and who knows what may happen to head coach Mike D'Antoni during the off-season.

Now here are the scores from all games of the series:

GAME 1 @ San Antonio: Lakers 79-91 Spurs

Lakers leaders:
Points: Howard 20, Nash 16, Gasol 16
Rebounds: Gasol 16, Howard 15, World Peace 6
Assists: Gasol 6, Nash 3, Blake 3

Spurs leaders:
Points: Parker 18, Ginobili 18, Duncan 17
Rebounds: Leonard 11, Duncan 10, Bonner 5
Assists: Parker 8, Splitter 4, Ginobili 3

GAME 2 @ San Antonio: Lakers 91-102 Spurs

Lakers leaders:
Points: Howard 16, Blake 16, Gasol 13, World Peace 13
Rebounds: Howard 9, Gasol 9, Blake 6
Assists: Nash 6, Gasol 4

Spurs leaders: 
Points: Parker 28, Duncan 16, Leonard 16
Rebounds: Leonard 7, Duncan 5, Ginobili 5, Bonner 5
Assists: Parker 7, Ginobili 7

GAME 3 @ Los Angeles: Spurs 120-89 Lakers

Spurs leaders:
Points: Duncan 26, Parker 20, Blair 13
Rebounds: Duncan 9, Blair 7, Splitter 6
Assists: Parker 7, Green 4, Joseph 4

Lakers leaders:
Points: Howard 25, Morris 24, Goudelock 20
Rebounds: Gasol 13, Howard 11, Hill 5
Assists: Gasol 10, Morris 5

GAME 4 @ Los Angeles: Spurs 103-82 Lakers

Spurs leaders:
Points: Parker 23, Leonard 13, Blair 13
Rebounds: Leonard 7, Duncan 6, Green 5, Blair 5
Assists: Ginobili 6, Joseph 6, Parker 4

Lakers leaders:
Points: Gasol 16, Goudelock 14, Jamison 12
Rebounds: Gasol 8, Howard 8, Clark 6
Assists: Duhon 7, Morris 6, Gasol 5

Spurs win series 4-0

K-Smoove