The NBA Finals will pit the San Antonio Spurs as the road team in Game 1 of a best of seven playoff series against the Miami Heat in a pro basketball contest on Thursday night. Tip off time for game one is set for 9PM Eastern Time from Miami with national television coverage provided by ABC TV.
The NBA game one odds from this finals playoff series have the home team Miami Heat favored by -5 points with an over under line of 188 ½ points. Early money has landed on the road underdog Spurs as the Heat were made -5 ½ point favorites when the odds were released following game seven between Miami and Indiana.
The Heat and Spurs met twice during the regular season with Miami winning both games. Each team covered the spread in their road game. They first met on November 29th in Miami and it was the Heat posting the 105-100 home victory as a -6 point betting favorite. The game finished over 202 points. The rematch occurred on March 31st where Miami posted the 88-86 road victory as a +1 ½ point underdog. The game finished under 194 points.
The San Antonio Spurs opened up the playoffs with a first round sweep of the injury riddled LA Lakers who were playing without Kobe Bryant. They then drew the upstart Golden St Warriors in the Western conference semifinals and advanced in six games. San Antonio met the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western conference finals and the Spurs behind and outstanding defensive effort eliminated the Grizzlies in a four game sweep. They allowed the Grizzlies no more than 89 points in regulation in all four playoff games.
San Antonio advances into the Western conference finals following a 93-86 road victory on May 27th against the Memphis Grizzlies in game four as a +2 ½ point underdog. The game ended under 182 points.
In their closeout game the Spurs outscored the Grizzlies by a 24-14 margin. They are 3-0 straight up in their three closeout games. The Spurs shot 51.3% in their game four victory with 3 of 13 from beyond the arc. The team got to the free throw line 13 times and made 12 shots. San Antonio survived pulling down seven less rebounds and committing 16 turnovers by good shooting and defense. San Antonio held Memphis to just 37.2% shooting.
Tony Parker led the Spurs with 37 points and six assists on 15 of 21 shooting. Tim Duncan had 15 points and eight rebounds as he made 7 of his 15 shots. San Antonio is a very efficient offensive team by ranking in the top five in all four key offensive categories which are points per game, field goal, three point and free throw shooting. The Spurs hit on 48.1% from the floor this season good for second best in the league. San Antonio will have to manage a nine day layoff in game one.
The Miami Heat opened up their playoffs with a four game sweep of the flawed Milwaukee Bucks.
