LeBron James, down and almost out. Photo / Reuters
CLEVELAND - The San Antonio Spurs are closing in on their fourth NBA title in nine years with a surge that has impressed even LeBron James.
"It's awesome," the Cleveland Cavaliers star forward said.
"They don't have the greatest athletes in the world. They don't have the greatest
shooters in the world. But they have probably the greatest team in the world - and that's what this sport is all about."
The Spurs can secure the title with a win over the hosts today (NZT) to become just the eighth team in NBA history to win the finals in a four-game sweep. Cleveland were handily beaten in the series' first two games in San Antonio but then lost game three, 75-72, on Tuesday, when the Spurs appeared vulnerable.
Cavaliers forward Drew Gooden compared his team's plight to a poker player laying down his final chips. "We're all in right now," he said. "We're playing our last hand.
"Our luck has to change or the season is over. This is the ultimate challenge.
"People say it's an impossible task but you have to feel and believe it can be done. We have to just win one game and take it from there."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich does not want to hear talk of a dynasty, even though his team is gunning for a third title in five years.
"That doesn't even enter my head because it's all psychobabble," he said. James is averaging 21 points in the series but has not been able to dominate as he did in the Eastern Conference finals against the Detroit Pistons.
Cavs coach Mike Brown credited the Spurs' tight defence but said James was the victim of some bad luck on Tuesday, even though the three-times All-Star bagged 25 points. "Nobody has come back from an 0-3 deficit but there's always a first time for everything," said Brown.
- REUTERS
