Brandon Ingram buried three back-to-back-to-back 3PT death blows to the 76ers' season in an instant classic showdown to end the NBA Finals and catapult the San Antonio Spurs into the slot of Winning-est Franchise in Basketball, marking an 18th total championship run as complete. It took a 38-27 surge in the 3rd Quarter to propel the Spurs past Philly tonight in a series that before that point appeared to be heading back to Philly for Game 6. The Sixers had just crushed San Antonio in the 2nd Quarter, 42-31.
The Spurs hit 19 three-pointers this time, shooting 53% just closely enough to 56% by Philly to fend off the worthy challengers from 3 out of the 4 past seasons. Both teams had 15 turnovers a piece, fatigue setting in, exchanging 12 and 14 point leads throughout the dramatic final contest.
Dejounte Murray powered the Spurs with 33 points, 7 assists & 7 steals. Fred VanVleet was vital for the Spurs with 27 points, hitting 7 from long range. Evan Fournier had 19 points, almost perfect from beyond. Ingram had 19 points, with Drummond scoring 12 points on 14 rebounds with 3 blocks.
Going down swinging was James Harden tonight, scoring 43 points with 8 assists. Julius Randle had 19 points. Tobias Harris went out with 17. Capela had 17 points, 13 rebounds. Ben Simmons had 12 assists, but just 7 points, with the Spurs daring him to shoot all series long. Trade rumors will abound this summer, after this marks a 3rd defeat to the Spurs in the Finals for the 76ers, twice led by Simmons. Harden proved his value to the team, so only time will tell if this current incarnation of the team lasts.
Concluding a stellar post-season effort, Dejounte Murray earned Finals MVP honors. He averaged 21.8ppg, 7apg & 4.2spg, establishing himself as San Antonio's bonafide leader moving forward. This summer will pose questions for the Spurs star trio, as egos may prove to be problematic, with chemistry issues revealing themselves during what has been a successful but turbulent championship run.