The NBA Finals continue tonight and we will see the San Antonio Spurs travel to American Airlines Arena to take on the Miami Heat in Game 3 of their best-of seven series. The game has a start time of 9:00 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on ABC. Vegas odds have the Heat listed as 4.5 point favorites, while the total sits at 197.
Analysis: After their game 1 victory over the Heat, Miami got a measure of revenge by taking Game 2, 98-96. The Spurs have averaged 105.6 ppg on 48.6% shooting overall this year, while in the post-season they have put up 106.2 ppg on 48.5% shooting. In the playoffs the scoring has been led by Tony Parker, who is averaging 17.5 ppg, while Tim Duncan is a close 2nd at 16.8 ppg. Manu Ginobili (14.7 ppg) and Kawhi Leonard (12.9 ppg) round out the double digit scorers for the team in the post-season. Defensively this was a solid team this year, ranking 6th in points allowed (97.6 ppg) and 8th in defensive FG% defense (44.4%), and in the playoffs they have been solid as well, allowing just 98.4 ppg on 44.4% shooting.
The Miami Heat looked like they might be able to steal game 1 of this series, but then cramps hit Lebron James and the Spurs finished the game on a 16-3 run to win game 1 by 15. Game 2 was a different story as the Heat won by 2 to even the series at 1 game apiece. The Heat have gone 40-9 SU at home this year and the host in this series has taken 4 of the last 5 ATS. The Heat have averaged 101.7 ppg on 50% shooting overall this year, while in the post-season they have put up 98.8 ppg on 49.7% shooting. The post-season scoring is led by Lebron James, who is averaging 27.5 ppg so far, while also leading the team in rebounding at 6.9 rpg and assists (4.8). Dwayne Wade (18.4 ppg) and Chris Bosh (15.5 ppg) have also averaged in double figures for the Heat so far. Defensively the Heat have been very solid in the playoffs, allowing just 93.4 ppg on 46.7% shooting.
Pick: Going to go with the Spurs in this one. The Spurs are not afraid of going on the road and should be able to keep this one close. Miami has been tough at home this year, but not invincible and just don't have what it takes for an easy win over the Spurs. Had the Spurs hit their FT's down the stretch, they would have had a 2-0 lead heading into this game. They will not make the same mistakes as they grab the outright win here.
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