NBA Finals 2014: Keys to Victory in Game 2 for Heat and Spurs

It seems like Game 1 of the NBA Finals happened a week ago. That's what happens when there's two whole days to discuss how leg cramps forced the best player in the world out of the opener of the league's final playoff matchup.

Finally, the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs are set to give the basketball world something new to overanalyze. 

Game 2 of the NBA Finals is on Sunday night, and LeBron James and Co. hope to deliver a bounce-back performance to even the series at one before it heads to South Beach.

Here's what both teams need to do to win.

San Antonio Spurs

Take Better Care of the Ball

The 22 turnovers in Game 1 were out of character for the Spurs. The team averaged just 14.3 per game through the season.

While the Heat defense does deserve credit for forcing the turnovers, the Spurs simply have to take better care of the rock in Game 2.

They won't be able to depend on insanely accurate shooting in the fourth quarter and James' leg cramps on Sunday. Head coach Gregg Popovich knows his team's shooting bailed them out.

Continue to Shoot the Ball Well

San Antonio set a record with their shooting performance in Game 1. 

While a repeat of that performance is unlikely, the Spurs do still need to be above average from deep to win Game 2.

Miami did a good job of pressuring the basketball and making drives to the basket difficult. Were it not for the Spurs' lights-out shooting in the fourth quarter, they would not have won, even with James sidelined much of the last eight minutes.

Miami Heat

Continue to Be Aggressive on Offense

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The Heat had five players with double-digit shot attempts in Game 1. That's a good thing for this team. It means LeBron and Dwyane Wade aren't being relied on to take and make every big shot.

Players like Chris Bosh, Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis are playing aggressive and looking for their shots. That makes Miami a more dangerous group to defend overall.

Keep up the Defensive Pressure

With 14 steals, the Heat were able to make the Spurs uncomfortable on offense, which is very difficult to do.

Allen led the way with five pilfers. Overall, Miami harassed San Antonio into 22 turnovers and scored 27 points off those miscues. 

Miami has to maintain their pressure to continue to get those favorable results.

Maintain the Scoring Balance

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With the aforementioned aggressiveness came an almost ideal amount of scoring balance for the Heat. The Big Three combined for 62 points and Allen scored 16 points off the bench.

Miami can't hope for much better than that. 

You might be thinking, "if Miami got all this to go their way in a game they lost by 15, what's it going to take to win?"

The answer is simple: Miami has to finish this time. The Heat can only hope James' legs hold up so he can lead them down the stretch.

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