"In the game's most pivotal moment, the score tied in overtime and 39 seconds to go, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich drew up a play to free guard Gary Neal for a 3-pointer.

This would not have been a surprise last season, when Neal emerged from nowhere to become one of the NBA's brightest shooting stars.

Wednesday in Orlando, with Neal having clanged 16 of his past 18 threes and all four attempts on this night, the scribbles on Popovich's grease board came with a side shot of blind faith.

"They're your shooters," Popovich said. "You've got to stick with them.""