Spurs Defeat Heat to Capture NBA Title | WPN World People News

The San Antonio Spurs have defeated the Miami Heat four games to one to capture their fifth National Basketball Association championship in 16 years.

Kawhi Leonard, 22, led the Spurs with 20 points as the Spurs took Sunday night's game five 104-87 to win the best-of-seven series.

Leonard's teammates excitedly mobbed him after the game as NBA Commissioner David Silver announced him as the most valuable player of the series. Leonard is the youngest to win the award since teammate Tim Duncan was the MVP in 1999, and described the honor as "surreal."

Miami led by seven points after the first quarter Sunday, but the Spurs dominated the next two periods, outscoring the Heat 55-29 in the second and third quarters.

LeBron James scored 31 points in the loss for Miami, which was trying to win its third consecutive title. Miami defeated San Antonio in an epic seven-game series to win last year.

Spurs guard Tony Parker, who grew up in France and has been a member of four of the championships, said the team wanted to redeem itself this year. He called this title "the sweetest one."

The Spurs have for years been led by the 38-year-old Duncan, 32-year-old Parker, and 36-year-old Manu Ginobili.

Ginobili spoke after the game with the flag of his native Argentina wrapped around his shoulders, and said the Spurs were "not going to let this opportunity get away."

Source: Voice of America