NBA Handicapping Predictions – Thunder vs Heat
Oklahoma City had a double digit lead in the third quarter of Game Three, but they gave it away and lost control of the series.
NBA Basketball Matchup: Oklahoma City Thunder (1-2) vs. Miami Heat (2-1)
NBA Finals: Game Four
Date/Time: June 17, 9:00 PM EST on ABC
NBA Gambling Odds from Bovada
NBA Betting Favorite: Heat -3.5
Over/Under: 192.5
Miami now has a 2-1 lead for the second straight year in the NBA Finals.
LeBron James is clearly playing much better basketball in this year’s title thus far. Can the Heat finish it off this year or will the Thunder bounce back?
Oklahoma City has to lament the fact that they allowed Game Three to get away from them.
It was their game to win, and they played plenty well enough to win for the majority of the game. Miami shot 17% outside the paint and still managed to win the game. Two straight fouls on three-point shot attempts in the third quarter really killed Oklahoma City’s momentum.
Kevin Durant also sat out due to foul trouble late in third when Miami made its big run. James Harden was 2 for 10 from the floor in Game Three. He must be better the rest of the series. The Thunder uncharacteristically went only 15 of 24 from the charity stripe. If Oklahoma City can keep up their tough defense from Game Three they definitely have a chance in this one. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
LeBron James is definitely in the process of silencing his critics right now. James has 30, 32, and 29 points in the first three games of this series. He also grabbed 14 big boards in Game Three, and the Heat’s rebounding advantage was a big reason they won that crucial contest.
Dwyane Wade hasn’t shot a good percentage in this series, but he is doing a great job creating open looks for his teammates. Shane Battier continues to be a major contributor in this series. Battier didn’t miss a shot from the floor or the free throw line in Game Three.
Miami’s improved poise at the end of the games of late has been the biggest positive for this team. If they can continue to finish games off this way, they will be difficult to beat.
The Thunder really need to win this game to have a legitimate chance in this series.
I don’t know if they win, but I like getting the points in a game where they should be desperate to win.
NBA Free Pick: Thunder +3.5
