Miami Heat move on after Game 1 loss

San Antonio Spurs take Game 1 with 92-88 win

MIAMI – The Miami Heat are moving on from their Game 1 loss in the NBA Finals.

The Heat held practice Friday after losing 92-88 to the San Antonio Spurs. They seemed relax and appeared confident that one loss doesn't make a series.

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In 2006 and 2012, the Heat lost Game 1 of the finals, only to win the series.

"It's not easy for sure and it's definitely going to be easy versus the team we're going against now," said LeBron James, who had a triple-double Thursday. "We've been able to get better and we've been able to make adjustments going from one game to the next and, you know, we kind of just bounce back after a loss."

The Heat haven't lost back-to-back games since early January. Dwyane Wade said the reality is the playoff grind isn't easy.

"Playoffs ain't fun, man," he said. "I'm sorry to bust anybody on the outside's bubble, but as a player in the playoffs, you have no joy until it's over and you won. If you don't win, you have no joy for a while."

Both Wade and LeBron said fatigue may have been a factor in Game 1, but both coaches said one game doesn't affect another.

"There's no excuse at this point of the year," said Erik Spoelstra. "We're mentally preparing for a long series."

"I think each game is an entity in itself," said Gregg Popovich. "It unfolds differently."

Spurs looked fresh, Heat fatigued in Game 1

The Spurs managed to deliver a knockout blow in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Heat 23-16.

"Down the stretch, we were fortunate," said Popovich. "Tony [Parker] hit a heck of a shot."

Tony Parker banked in a 16-footer with 5.2 seconds left for the last of his 21 points. He called it one of the best shot of his career.

"You have to put it in my top three for sure, maybe number one because [it's] the NBA Finals, but it will only mean something if we win the championship," he said. "That's why - like all my friends, my family, they were going to crazy but I'm like, 'You have to stop going crazy. We only win one game.'"

Even if the Heat even the series, the Spurs will head home for Games 3, 4, and 5 knowing they stole home court advantage.

"It's just one game, but if we go all the way, then yes, that shot, you can put it number one, so you're going to have to ask me that question in 10 days," said Parker.