Relive the 2007 NBA Finals Box Score: Complete Game Stats and Analysis
I still remember watching the 2007 NBA Finals like it was yesterday - the tension, the drama, and that incredible performance from Tony Parker that earned him Finals MVP honors. As someone who's spent years analyzing basketball statistics, I find myself constantly returning to that particular series between the Spurs and Cavaliers. There's something magical about diving into historical box scores; they're like time capsules that transport you right back to the action.
Looking at the complete game stats from that series, what strikes me most is how dominant the Spurs were defensively. They held a young LeBron James to just 35.6% shooting for the series - a statistic that still surprises me when I revisit it. The Spurs' team defense was absolutely suffocating, and their experience really showed through in those crucial moments. Parker averaged 24.5 points per game while shooting an incredible 56.8% from the field, numbers that still make me appreciate just how efficient he was during that series. Tim Duncan, though not putting up his usual massive numbers, was the anchor that made everything work, pulling down 11.5 rebounds per game while serving as the defensive quarterback.
What many people forget is how close Game 3 actually was - the Cavaliers had a real chance to take that one, but Robert Horry hit one of his trademark clutch shots that essentially sealed the game. I've always felt that moment doesn't get enough attention when people discuss that series. The Spurs won that game 75-72 in what was probably the ugliest, yet most strategically fascinating game of the series. Both teams shot under 40% from the field, and watching it felt like a throwback to 1990s basketball where every possession mattered.
The sweep itself was somewhat surprising, though in hindsight, the Spurs were simply the more complete team. They had better depth, more experience, and Gregg Popovich outcoached Mike Brown pretty decisively throughout the series. Manu Ginobili's 27 points in Game 4 provided the closing statement the Spurs needed, and I remember thinking at the time that he might actually steal the MVP from Parker if they gave him one more game like that. The Cavaliers simply didn't have enough offensive weapons beyond LeBron, and the Spurs exploited that mercilessly.
Revisiting these statistics always reminds me why I fell in love with basketball analytics in the first place. The numbers tell such a rich story beyond what we see on the surface. That Spurs team demonstrated how beautiful team basketball can be when executed properly, and their defensive schemes against LeBron should still be studied by coaches today. While it wasn't the most competitive Finals series we've ever seen, it was a masterclass in team basketball that I find myself appreciating more with each passing year.