The Miami Heat came into the NBA Finals as the two-time defending NBA champions, the team that was able to figure out any problem that came its way and reach the top of the heap in professional basketball. However, in this series, the San Antonio Spurs have looked more like champions. The Heat will now have to face a challenge no NBA team has overcome.
Sunday, June 15th – 8:00 PM ET
NBA Basketball Odds: San Antonio –5.5
Why The Heat Can Win
They are going to be desperate, but also the recipients of a two-day break between games. The Heat need a little more time, not just to think about how to readjust and get back in this series, but also to rest Dwyane Wade’s body. Wade just didn’t look very spry or active in Game 4 of this series. He could not finish shots within six or eight feet of the basket against some of San Antonio’s slower defenders, such as Boris Diaw and Tiago Splitter. Wade looked like an old man, and the memories of what he did just two weeks ago against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals seem far removed from a lot of people’s minds. With Wade getting that extra day of rest, instead of playing every other night as he did from Sunday through Thursday, the Heat might once again have their third-best player (Chris Bosh is the second) ready to play well. When the Heat can get Wade to play well along with Bosh and LeBron James, they can be a force. This team played San Antonio dead-even in the first two games of this series, so there’s a very realistic chance that with the added rest, the Heat can play the way they expect to play against the Spurs. As long as this game is close at halftime, meaning that the Heat don’t get run over by San Antonio in the first half (which is what has happened the last two games), a very close game should occur. LeBron can then take over in the final minutes.
Why The Spurs Can Win
They are the better team. They’re playing a lot better than the Heat. They have more depth. They have more players who are contributing to the cause. They have the better coach. They’re playing at home. They’re passing the ball more fluidly than the Heat. They’re defending more actively than the Heat. They’re getting more out of each possession. They’re shooting three-pointers with more effectiveness. They’re attacking the basket more consistently than Miami. They don’t have guys such as Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, who are weighing down the Heat with their lack of good performances.
Everything about this series points to San Antonio being able to end the series and win its fifth NBA championship. The Spurs are confident. They’ve seen Miami lack a response to their best effort and execution. They wanted this title so badly, and they wanted to beat the Heat to win a championship as well. They can celebrate on their home court. Why wouldn’t they win?
Outlook
This is a game in which the Spurs are probably going to just continue to do what they’ve been doing for the past week. San Antonio has solved its problems, while Miami has no one other than LeBron James who looks ready to mount a defense. San Antonio will win the NBA title on Sunday.
Pick: Spurs -5.5
