The 2013 NBA Finals Is Loaded With Legendary Performers

Thursday evening, the defending NBA champion Miami Heat host the San Antonio Spurs, in Game 1 of the 2013 NBA Finals. The Heat are coming off a very hard fought seven-game series victory over the Indiana Pacers, with Game 7 taking place just this last Monday night. On the other side of the spectrum, the Spurs cruised to a four-game sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies. As a result of this triumph, the Western Conference champs have not played a game in a whopping nine days. This will be the Spurs first finals appearance since 2007, while the Heat are making their third consecutive trip to the championship round.

This matchup features three guaranteed Hall of Fame players (Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade), three potential HOF candidates (Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Chris Bosh) and one surefire HOF coach (Gregg Popovich). Entering the finals, the above group has combined to win 20 NBA championships.

Unlike many recent NBA Finals, this series will involve two teams that have won multiple titles in recent years. The Spurs have won four since 1999, while the Heat has captured two since 2006.

The Heat won 66 regular season contests (including a 27-game win streak), while the Spurs were winners of 58 regular season games.