Game 1 of the NBA Finals ended in bizarre fashion as players started dropping like flies due to heat in the arena. There were electrical problems leading to an air conditioning malfunction earlier in the day leading to temperatures in excess of 90 degrees. LeBron James, who was accused of cheating on his wife back in January, had a heck of a game until he suffered a massive spasm from dehydration due to the extreme heat. Whether any of that comes to bear in Game 2 and whether the Spurs deserve to be fined if the AC problems persist is up in the air at this point.
LeBron, as well as the entire population of the AT&T Arena, suffered through unbearable heat throughout the evening. Midway through the fourth quarter, however, things took a turn for the worse (via SB Nation):
"It was still stunning to see LeBron ask to exit in the fourth, only to come back and score on a driving layup. And after that score, he stood as if a statue on the baseline, literally unable to move under his own power due to a cramp in his quads. He eventually was carried to the Heat bench; he wouldn't return."
Heat Coach Eric Spoelstra has said that while the team won't make excuses, the Spurs should be fined if problems persist (via Sports Illustrated):
"'We're not making any excuses for it,' Spoelstra said. 'It was an extreme, unfortunate situation for both teams. It probably won't happen again, ever. Now, we might have to deal with the absolute opposite in Game 7, who knows. It will be 55 degrees in the arena, unless they don't get it fixed, which if they don't, there should be a fine.'"
What do you think? Should the Spurs face a penalty if they can't fix the AC?
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