National Basketball Association

Ryan Hollins Blog: NBA Finals shift to Miami

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

Here were are in the NBA Finals, with two teams left on a serious mission. The Spurs are clearly trying to avenge last year's loss. They've been firing on all cylinders and have been playing well all year. The Heat have the talent and it shows, as they find themselves in their fourth consecutive final. The question everyone wants answered is if talent will win or execution. It's hard to pick, but in the end it'll come down to whoever is more determined, who has the heart to take it all the way.

In Game 1, San Antonio did what they were suppose to do: come out and win at home. They possibly had an additional edge with the air conditioning issues and a cramped LeBron, but the Heat weren't able to prevail. You can try and blame it on outside factors, but at the end of the day the Spurs walked away with the win.

I'm not surprised by the outcome of Game 2. Just like after any controversy or negative reaction, LeBron rises to the occasion with that energy as fuel, reminding everyone that he is the best player on the planet. It will be interesting to see if he'll continue to perform at such a high level.

There aren't too many matchups that stand out to me in this series, but one thing about San Antonio is that anyone can have a big game, you never really know who is going to get the points. They have been on a focused journey since Game 7 of last year's Finals, and they don't want to be like the Utah Jazz, who lost back-to-back finals in 1997 and '98.

I'm never one to really make predictions unless its my 49ers, but what I will say is that until someone knocks off the champs, it's theirs. The Heat have done what they needed to do for the past two years, and now it's their crown you must take. This is the next step in the story of LeBron's legacy. It's still very early in his career to give out titles, but there has always been a certain level of attention surrounding him, whether it's lots of hate or lots of love. This is a chance for him to make his case stronger.

I expect the series to go seven games, all the way to the last shot in the last seconds. I am anxious to see the outcome, to see who has the strongest determination to win.