NBA Handicapping Predictions – Thunder vs Heat
Two times Oklahoma City has had a very realistic shot of winning a game in Miami and two straight times they have come up empty.
NBA Basketball Matchup: Oklahoma City Thunder (1-3) vs. Miami Heat (3-1)
NBA Finals: Game Five
Date/Time: June 21, 8:00 PM EST on ABC
NBA Gambling Odds from Bovada
NBA Betting Favorite: Heat -3
Over/Under: 193.5
Miami took complete control of this series by finishing Game Four strong and taking a 3-1 series advantage.
Now, Oklahoma City must win Game Five just to get the series back to Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City could easily be ahead or at least tied 2-2 in this series, but the team hasn’t been able to close out games. They had a two point lead with the basketball late in the fourth quarter of Game Four before completely unraveling.
In Game Three they held a 10 point third quarter lead before losing. Russell Westbrook piled up 43 points in a terrific performance in Game Four. Kevin Durant did score 28 points, but he was unable to come up with any big baskets down the stretch.
James Harden has been terrible in the last two games, and that has really hurt his team. Harden is a guy that can create his own shot and shoot it from long distance, but he hasn’t been himself this series.
He’ll have to be much better if the Thunder are going to win in Miami in Game Five. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Miami Heat dug a deep hole in the first quarter of Game Four, but the team didn’t panic at all. The casual observer who watched this game could tell you that it was obvious Miami won this game on the little plays. Miami outhustled Oklahoma City throughout Game Four, and they made all the small plays that win you close games.
Mario Chalmers had 25 points to lead the Heat to that victory. LeBron James would have gotten a triple-double, but he had to miss the last few minutes with cramps.
James continues to play great basketball in this year’s NBA Finals. Chris Bosh is piling up the rebounds, and the Heat have won the rebounding battle in all three of their wins in this series.
The Heat have been able to come up with great half court defense in the clutch over the last three games as well.
Miami is just one game away from silencing the critics and winning an NBA title. Oklahoma City has a very bright future, but it seems like they aren’t quite ready to win it all. Look for the Heat to take care of business.
NBA Free Pick: Miami Heat -3
