LeBron James Blocks Tiago Splitter; Heat Win NBA Finals Game 2 [Gifs & Video Of Block]

LeBron James' block on Tiago Splitter didn't turn the tide during the Heat's game 2 victory last night, but it encapsulated their defensive intensity, and that's what led to their runaway win in game 2.

With 8:20 left in the fourth period last night, the Heat were already ahead by almost 20 points, leading 86-67 after a run that would carry them to a game 2 win 103-84 last night before both teams head to San Antonio for game 3 on Tuesday night.

With the Heat already in the midst of one of their patented runs, led by the Mario Chalmer and LeBron James pick-and-roll, and Ray Allen and Mike Miller's 3-point shooting, LeBron issued a resounding proclamation to the Spurs: 'I am here, hear me roar.'

Tiago Splitter, the Brazilian baller the Spurs have teamed with Tim Duncan in the low block this season for a high-low game where one of the two is always at the rim, might only be remembered for this play.

Despite a highly efficient season for Splitter, when he rolled after setting the high screen on Tony Parker's man, then receiving the pocket pass from Parker as he rolled to the rim, he decided to challenge the Heat's four time MVP and indisputable best player in the world.

But the block didn't change the fortunes for the Heat and get them back in this series. The Heat had already started their run by the time 'Bron blocked Splitter onto the cover of national newspapers.

No the Heat's run started in the previous quarter after the Spurs had taken a 62-61 lead on Danny Green's driving layup with 3:50 left in the quarter.

After that, the Heat finished the quarter on a 14-3 run to take a 75-65 lead into the fourth quarter. The fourth wasn't much different, with the Heat extending their lead to 86-67 before the LeBron James block.

A couple minutes later, LeBron hit a 3-pointer to extend the Heat's lead to 94-67 and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich started calling to get Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili out of the game with their franchise center, Tim Duncan, already on the bench.

While James' block has become the iconic image of this still-brief 2013 NBA Finals, it wasn't the starting point for the Heat. Their three-point shooting and defense on superstar point guard, Tony Parker, did that and led to their first big run on this methodical Spurs team.

But yeah, James block was incredible, so lets look at it one more time.

Wow. LeBron James is amazing. We're sorry Tiago Splitter, but you're going to be reminded about this for the rest of your life.