NBA Basketball
2013-06-16 - Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Finals Basketball
Sunday 16 June 2013 - Tip Off 8pm
1am (British Time)
Preview
It has been one of the strangest NBA Finals in some time as only one of the four games has been really competitive and each of the last three has been essentially a blowout. The series is tied at 2-2 thanks to the Miami Heat stealing back home court advantage from the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday and this is the final home game the Spurs will play in the series before shifting back to Florida for Games 6 and, if necessary, 7.
The nature of the victories have been a surprise, but also the mixed performances from some of the biggest names in the game. LeBron James had really been having a hard time deciphering the defense that he was seeing, but he broke out with 33 points in Game 4.
James' performance was welcome, but there was nothing more significant for Miami than Dwyane Wade's 32 point effort that was desperately needed for the Heat. With Chris Bosh recording his third straight double-double, Miami will feel they are on the right path to win back to back Championships.
While things look remarkably better for Miami, it isn't the same for San Antonio with the biggest concern being Tony Parker. The Point Guard has admitted that his hamstring injury would have required rest if this was the regular season, while he has been warned that it could be torn at any moment. Whether that is playing on Parker's mind is irrelevant as he had a poor game in Game 4 and the Spurs can't really function properly without him.
They haven't been helped by Manu Ginobili who has really struggled to impose his game on this series and the Play Offs as a whole. Ginobili is averaging 7.5 points per game so far and has struggled from beyond the three point arc throughout the series, although the Spurs are still backing their Sixth Man to come good.
San Antonio will look to take care of the ball more than they did in the last game, while there could be some real emotion in the building. There is a chance that this is the last time Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili play at home together so the crowd will be ready to support them fully.
They will also be well aware that Miami haven't won two games in a row since the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals. San Antonio have also never lost Game 5 of the NBA Finals and have twice won this game with the series tied at 2-2.
Head to Head
Miami are 4-2 up in the season series between these two teams.
The Heat had only won 2 times in 24 seasons in San Antonio, but they have won 2 of 3 here this season.
Prediction
This series has been tough to predict as the ease in which both teams have won games due to hot three point shooting makes it tough to predict who will take Game 5.
I do think that three point shooting gives this game the chance to go over the total, although the injury to Parker is a concern as Miami will be able to lockdown on the defense a little easier.
The Pick :
San Antonio Spurs 94-97 Miami Heat
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 188 Points @ 1.95
