The NBA finals matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat ended last Thursday with the Heat winning Game 7 and taking home the trophy for the second consecutive year.

The series was highlighted by the matchup between the Big Three of Miami-LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade-and the Big Three of San Antonio- Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

The series was a roller-coaster ride of close games and blowouts, but as it entered the final stretch, Miami’s Big Three exerted their will and proved themselves to be the most potent combination in basketball today.

The Spurs started off strong and took Game 1 at Miami 92-88. Although the Spurs were out-rebounded, and held to a dismal 41 percent shooting from the field, they played solid defense and kept Bosh and Wade under 20 points and withstood a triple double from James. Parker scored 21, and hit a key jumper in the last few seconds to secure the win.

The Heat came out in Game 2 with more energy and a renewed sense of urgency. Heat point-guard Mario Chalmers put up 19 to lead all scorers, and James had 17 points, 8 rebounds and made some key defensive plays. Duncan, Ginobili and Parker were pretty much nonexistent in a 19-point Game 2 blowout. The final score was 103-84

The series was tied 1-1 as it headed to San Antonio for Games 3, 4 and 5.

Following a Game 2 blowout, the Spurs dug in their heels and showed why they were the best team in the West. The Spurs shot and rebounded well, and received huge contributions from starter Danny Green and Gary Neal. Neal came off the bench to score 24 and Green hit seven

3-pointers and ended with 27 points. The game was close in the first half, but the Spurs dominated the second half, outscoring the Heat 63-33 to win 113-77.

Game 4 went to Miami in a 109-93 win that was dominated by Bosh, Wade and James. The Big Three combined to score 85 of Miami’s 109 points. James had 33, Wade had 32 and Bosh added 20 in a crucial victory that kept Miami’s playoff chances alive.

After struggling for most of the series, Manu Ginobili ended his playoff slump and scored 24 points and had 10 assists in a Spurs Game 5 win. James and Wade both had 25. The final score was 114-104.

Up 3-2, the Spurs went back to Miami with two chances to close the series.

The Heat was facing elimination and the Spurs were eyeing a fifth NBA championship in Game 6. It was an overtime thriller that went down to the wire. James put up a triple double-32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists-to help his team a victory. Duncan had 30 points and 17 rebounds in his strongest performance of the series. Chalmers added 20 and Kawhi Leonard of the Spurs scored 22.

In the final minute of the fourth quarter, the Spurs were up 94-89 with just 20 seconds left in regulation. James made a three to make it 94-92, and then Leonard made one of two free throws to extend the Spurs lead back to three. Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer and sent the game to overtime. Miami would win 103-100 in OT.

A big question coming into the series was whether or not an older San Antonio had enough energy to compete with the younger Miami Heat.

In Game 7, it became apparent that they didn’t.

The game was tightly contested. No team was able to take control and pull away. James had 37 in a win that showed why he is the best player in basketball. He hit a couple of key 3-pointers that eventually sealed the Heat’s third NBA championship. The final score was 95-88

Overall, the series was incredible. The quality of basketball that was displayed on the court was a testament to how the game should be played. The mutual respect off the court, and the attitudes of the winning and losing teams also exemplified the class of both teams.

It was a fun series to watch. The matchup between the Big Three of Miami and San Antonio pushed both the teams and the players to their best. Duncan, Parker and Ginobilli showed why San Antonio has had so much success over the past decade, and Wade, Bosh and James showed why they would be the team to beat in the future.

Although the individual superstars on both sides played huge roles in the teams’ success, basketball is a team game. It takes all five players working together for a team to win. No matter how dominant James is, he could not do what he does without a team.

Both teams put in a team effort and played great basketball.