MIAMI – Maybe the San Antonio Spurs were fortunate enough to have a hot hand of a lifetime. Perhaps the Spurs were unstoppable this Tuesday night, regardless of the defensive effort the Miami Heat mustered.

Sadly, the two-time defending NBA champions played like they were suiting up against an NBA doormat in April rather than a bitter Finals team that was seconds away from the trophy.

When processing a 111-92 loss in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to the Spurs, who were up by as many as 25 points, LeBron James probably broke down the blowout best.

View photos Tony Parker and the Spurs ran circles around Miami en route to a record performance. (AP) More

"It was a cumulative of everything," James said. "Some possessions we played extremely well and they hit shots. Some possessions we weren't quite there and they hit shots as well. One thing about this team, if you make a mistake they're going to make you pay."

The Heat overcame double-digit deficits 16 times in the regular season. The largest was 16 in a 101-99 win on Nov. 23 against the rebuilding Orlando Magic. The 15-point comeback in a 97-94 win over the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 15 was probably the most impressive. Even the lackluster Los Angeles Lakers had a double-digit lead on Christmas before succumbing 101-95 to Miami.

With the mighty James on the roster, the Heat typically can overcome anything when motivated. But against the Spurs, the margin of error is so slim that if they are on their A-game offensively you better counter strong or be subject to punishment.

"You have to tip your hat to them. They took it to us tonight," Miami forward Chris Bosh said.

Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard led all scorers with 29 points. He scored nine in each of the first two Finals games after averaging 12.9 points in the regular season. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the third-year forward was given an undisclosed pep talk prior to Game 3.

It worked as Leonard scored 13 quick points as the Spurs jumped to a 25-12 lead and were threatened only once late in the third quarter.

"They came in with a desperation we just didn't match," James said. "Just because it's our fourth Finals [appearance] doesn't mean anything. That doesn't guarantee you a win. It doesn't guarantee you that you will be more urgent or less urgent than the next team."

A Leonard 21-foot jump shot with 8:09 left in the second quarter pushed the Spurs ahead 55-30. The Heat went to the locker room at the half down 21 after giving up 30 points and 66.7 percent shooting from the field in the second quarter.

The Spurs' barrage had the Heat barking at each other on the bench and in the locker room at halftime.

"Thinking back, we had every conversation," Miami's Ray Allen said. "We yelled at each other. We just encouraged each other. I think you go through a range of emotion because you're trying to find something to spark something going."

View photos Ray Allen had 11 points and three turnovers Tuesday. (AP) More

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