6 Jun 2014

Too hot for Heat in San Antonio

11:35 pm on 6 June 2014

The San Antonio Spurs have beaten the defending champion Miami Heat 110-95 in a controversial game one of the NBA basketball finals after an air conditioning breakdown led to sweltering conditions.

The extreme temperature contributed to the Heat star LeBron James suffering cramps that kept him out of the game in the closing minutes as the hosts San Antonio pulled away late.

Tim Duncan had 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Manu Ginobili had 16 points and 11 assists, and Tony Parker added 19 points and eight assists for the Spurs.

James finished with 25 points but played only 33 minutes, and Miami were outscored 36-17 in the fourth quarter.

Game two of the best of seven series is also in San Antonio on Monday.