9781422272008

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Wins 2014 Finals MVP Award

When San Antonio found itself in a 1–1 standoff against Miami in the 2014 NBA Finals—with the next two games in South Florida and momentum on the Heat’s side—it was a 22-year-old Kawhi Leonard who willed them to a championship. On a roster filled with proven playoff performers, notably Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, it was Leonard sinking the biggest shots and corralling the key rebounds. In a series-swinging 111–92 Game 3 win, Leonard buried a career-high 29 points, shooting a sizzling 10 of 13 from the field. He also rattled LeBron James with his defensive tenacity , forcing seven turnovers and blocking two shots. He carried his spectacular play into Game 4, where he had team highs in points (20) and rebounds (14) in the 107–86 win, and he scored 22 points in the title-clinching Game 5 win on his way to securing the Finals MVP award.

Kawhi Leonard receives the 2014 Finals MVP trophy, where he averaged 17.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in the series, leading San Antonio past Miami 4–1.

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CHAPTER 1: GREATEST MOMENTS hapter reatest oments