The San Antonio Spurs went into Sunday’s Game 2 with a the slight advantage, having ‘Beat the Heat’ in more ways than one in the first game of the 2014 NBA Finals.

In a steaming AT&T Center — thanks to a an air-conditioning failure — the Spurs capitalised on LeBron James having to leave the game to power home a 110-95 win. It was a close match throughout, until James had to leave the game, with San Antonio jumping out to an early 26-20 first quarter lead on the back of efficient shooting that would see them end the game with a shooting percentage of 59. Miami raced out to a 7-2 lead as James, Wade, and Bosh combined for 11 of their first 13 points.

However, Ginobili provided three quick-fire triples off the bench after coming into the game early, pulling the score to 18-13.

The second quarter went similarly, however, the Heat definitely won the third as the Spurs managed only 20 points while committing nine turnovers.

They recovered well, though, having a typically collaborative effort with Tim Duncan scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, Manu Ginobili providing 16 points and 11 assists and Tony Parker adding his own 19 points and eight assists. Even Danny Green played his role in spurring the run that proved pivotal.

However, it was a game that showed just how much the Heat relied on their talisman James, who paced Miami with 25 points, six rebounds and three steals in his 33 minutes, as he became the first player since Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to amass 4000 points and 1000 assists in the postseason. It was during his absence, first for treatment and then permanently, that the Spurs decided the game.

Early in the fourth, while James got treated on the bench, they erased a substantial thirdquarter Heat lead with a 15-4 run. James momentarily came back, hitting a basket to see the game held at 94-92 in favour of San Antonio. He could not even get back for defence, however, and left the game to a three by Danny Green that instigated a 16-3 Spurs run to end the game. The Spurs went 6-of-6 from 3-point range in the fourth quarter as Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade’s combined 37 points proved fruitless. Sunday’s late Game 2 tipoff took place in San Antonio.