The Spurs made sure of a repeat of the 2013 finals series with a 112-107 overtime win at the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
That victory ensured a 4-2 series win and the Western Conference title, giving San Antonio the opportunity to avenge last season’s defeat to the Heat.
Miami clinched a second consecutive NBA crown by overturning a 3-2 deficit to beat the Spurs 4-3 in last year’s finals with a 95-88 win in game seven.
And 38-year-old Duncan, whose double-double (19 points and 15 rebounds) was key to San Antonio’s success in Oklahoma City, is relishing the clash as he and the Spurs seek a fifth NBA title.
“We were ready last year, we just couldn’t get over that hump,” Duncan said.
“We’re happy we’re back there this year, we’re happy to have another opportunity at it – and we’re happy that it’s the Heat again.
“We’ll be ready for them, we’ve got obviously some experience from last year against them and we’ll go back, look at some film, we’ve got that bad taste in our mouths still so hopefully we’ll be ready to take it this time.”
Meanwhile, coach Gregg Popovich believes the calibre of the Thunder makes the series victory even more satisfying.
“They’ve done a fantastic job and we really have a lot of respect for them,” Popovich said.
“So, I have to be honest, this victory is really sweet because we know we played one hell of a team, we take great satisfaction in that because they are so special and they’ll certainly be back doing great things without any doubt.”
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