The San Antonio Spurs welcome the defending champion Miami Heat to the AT&T Center for a final time this evening as the two squads battle in a pivotal Game 5. Tonight’s game is scheduled to tip off at 8:00pm ET on ABC. The latest 2013 NBA Finals Odds have the visiting Heat listed as a -1.5 against the spread road favorite and the Over/Under set at 188 points. The Spurs are getting +103 moneyline odds to take a 3-2 series lead back to Miami.

 

While the Finals are knotted at two games apiece, there is far more pressure on San Antonio to win tonight’s contest. The Spurs will almost certainly need a one game cushion with games six and seven taking place in Miami.

 

This series as well as the Heat’s recent playoff run point toward San Antonio procuring that much needed 3-2 edge. Miami has not won back to back games since its Eastern Conference Finals opener with Indiana and yet it is favored in this evening’s game.

 

The odds makers may be expecting that trend to change for a couple of reasons. First, there is the Dwyane Wade factor. Wade looked like his former self for the first time all series in Game 4, posting 32 points, six rebounds, and six steals (no turnovers). With the extra day of rest some may feel Wade can turn in a similar performance this evening.

 

Tony Parker’s health is the other consideration as he’s battled a strained right hamstring all series. Parker indicated the severity of the injury after Thursday’s game, saying the hamstring could tear “any time now”.

 

While Gary Neal has been exceptional filling in for Parker off the bench in the Finals, the Spurs need Parker in the lineup and playing well, especially on offense, to win.

 

Defense will be more important for the Spurs tonight, though. The Heat decimated San Antonio in Game 4, shooting 52.9 percent from the field en route to their 109-93 victory. Expect a much better defensive performance from the Spurs tonight as they look to avoid what essentially would be a series ending loss.

 

 

Miami Heat -1.5 (-110), Over 188 (-110), -123 (Moneyline)

 

San Antonio Spurs +1.5 (-110), Under 188 (-110), +103 (Moneyline)

 

What pro basketball bettors need to know about Miami Heat at San Antonio Spurs on Sunday (6/16/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Marco D'Angelo, with Ken Thomson.