San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat June 9, 2013

Tweet

Game 1 of the NBA Finals was as close as can be, setting the stage for what is poised to be a long, hotly contested series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat.

San Antonio didn't put the Heat away until the waning seconds of the opener, relying on a Tony Parker circus shot to finish off the 92-88 victory.

That's what happens when two very strong teams play 48 solid minutes of soundly executed, highly entertaining basketball.

In an interesting twist that happens in such contests, both teams' strengths and weaknesses were limited in Game 1. San Antonio's defensive fundamentals and fastidiousness with the ball kept LeBron James and company from capitalizing on their athletic advantage, while Miami outshot and out-rebounded the Spurs to counter their efficiency with volume.

James registered a triple-double in Game 1 with 18 points (a postseason low), 18 rebounds and 10 assists (both postseason highs). Parker led the Spurs with 21 points and six assists, while Tim Duncan had 20 points and 14 boards while leading San Antonio's exemplary interior defense.

That's the kind of high-caliber play fans can get used to in this series. Even more is coming your way in Game 2.


Time: Sunday, June 9, 8 p.m. ET

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, Fla.

Series: Spurs 1-0

Brazil 3-0 France June 9, 2013

Tweet

France and Brazil meet in what should be an entertaining friendly on Sunday afternoon.

Both France and Brazil are looking to move past disasters at international tournaments. They have struggled to move on from older generations. This may be a meaningless friendly, but these countries will be fielding strong sides and looking to come out with a win.

Brazil are without Leandro Damiao for the visit of France to Porto Alegre, as well as the Confederations Cup, after the Internacional striker limped out of training on Thursday.

Replacing Damiao in the squad is Atletico Minieiro's Jo, formerly of Manchester City, with the forward called up to the Selecao for the first time since the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008. 

Otherwise, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is to field largely the same XI that grabbed a 2-2 draw against England in Rio de Janeiro last weekend, though Marcelo is expected to displace Filipe Luis in defence.

France coach Didier Deschamps is set to overhaul his stuttering side, with only Blaise Matuidi, Dimitri Payet and Mathieu Valbuena likely to remain from Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in Montevideo.

The match is much more important for Brazil, as they don't have any qualification process for the World Cup. They receive an automatic bid as hosts of the tournament. Brazil has to use these friendlies to get into form for the World Cup.

Here's all the info you need to know for this massive friendly.

When: Sunday, June 9, at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Arena do Gremio, Porto Alegre, Brazil