The San Antonio Spurs are one win away from completely avenging their painful loss in the NBA Final last season after a magnificent 107-86 win over the Miami Heat. In our experts and predictions piece, only one hoops analyst predicted the Spurs to win the title in five games. Can his prediction prove true on Sunday? Or will LeBron James and the rest of the Heat respond with a series-extending victory?
Game 5 is three days away. Create a betting account now, and see the early odds and lines for his highly anticipated matchup.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs NBA Finals, Game 5 Betting Preview
Series Scores & Schedule
Game 1 – June 5, Miami 95 at San Antonio 110
Game 2 – June 5, Miami 98 at San Antonio 96
Game 3 – June 10, San Antonio 111 at Miami 92
Game 4 – June 12, San Antonio 107 at Miami 86
Game 5 – June 15, 8:00 PM ET, Miami (+6) at San Antonio (-6); total 195.0 – view all NBA lines
Game 6 (if necessary) – June 17, 9:00 PM ET, San Antonio at Miami
Game 7 (if necessary) – June 20, 9:00 PM ET, Miami at San Antonio
Betting on the Miami Heat
[sc:NBA240banner ]Coach Erik Spoelstra needs to devise a way to stop the San Antonio Spurs’ offense. Otherwise, there will not be another home game for the Miami Heat this season. The Heat take the road again for Game 5, looking to extend the series. However, that will be easier said than done, as they are just 1-3 in their last four games at San Antonio.
On offense, LeBron James (27.5 PPG in these series) continues to produce MVP numbers, but is the only one playing consistently for Miami. James’ need for support could not have been highlighted more in the Heat’s last two losses. His Big Three mates have been sporadic thus far in the series.
Dwyane Wade shot a horrific 3-for-13 in Game 4 for just 10 points after having 22 in Game 3. Chris Bosh has just 21 points over the last two games, following back-to-back 18-point performances. Those two stars need to step up in Game 4.
With the Heat badly out-rebounded and their interior defense clearly being abused by San Antonio, Spoelstra might go for heft instead of range in Game 5. It won’t be a big surprise if Rashard Lewis, who only had two points in Game 4, will be replaced by Udonis Haslem in the starting lineup.
The Heat are averaging 99.9 PPG on the road in the Playoffs, and the over is 5-1-1 in their last seven games away from Florida.
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
After another strong, all-around performance, Kahwi Leonard strengthened his case to be the Finals MVP. Over the last two big wins of the Spurs, Leonard has averaged 24.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, and 2.5 BPG, and he looks highly motivated, just like the rest of the team, to wrap things up at home in Game 5. The Spurs are 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games.
The Spurs’ offense, predicated on exceptional ball movement, has left Miami baffled throughout the last two games. Everything fell into place for San Antonio when Gregg Popovich inserted Boris Diaw to the starting lineup. With Diaw’s exceptional passing skills, the Spurs were able to generate a lot of points near the rim. Expect more from the French big man in Game 5, who is surprisingly this series’ leader in assists with 23 dimes.
The Spurs will finish the series at home on Sunday if their bench can continue to produce. The Spurs’ relievers outscored their counterparts over the last two games, 70-53. The over is 6-4 in the Spurs’ last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Spurs will not waste this opportunity to win it all at home. Take the Spurs to cover -6.
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