It’s hard to imagine Game 7 of the NBA Finals living up to the expectations set up for it by the simply remarkable Game 6. However, tonight’s match-up is the last NBA that fans will get to see from now until October, so we better enjoy it!
The 2013 NBA Finals had given fans just about everything in a see-saw game with a remarkable level of unpredictability on a game-to-game basis. However, Game 6’s overtime classic provided the finals with something that it hadn’t had up to that point, and that was a classic contest.
It looked like the San Antonio Spurs were heading for a fifth NBA championship since 1999. They led by five points with 28.2 seconds left on the clock and they were considered a sure fire bet to close it out. However, two missed threes were collected as offensive rebounds by the Miami Heat in that time frame and picked up for another successful three-point shot. Ray Allen’s remarkable falling back late three point shot forced overtime. Of course, the Spurs missed free throws in-between all of that as well. Miami extended the series by winning it in OT.
It feels almost meaningless and pointless to try and break down what is going to happen in Game 7. Anything can happen in Game 7s and that is blown even more wide open in a series which has been as wild as this one.
Gregg Popovich will have a strategy and he will have a plan. However, he needs a second consecutive huge effort from Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, both of whom played for more than 40 minutes on Tuesday. He will also surely stick with and hope that Manu Ginobili produces like he did in Game 5 compared with his abysmal eight turnover display in Game 6.
Nobody will be under the microscope more than LeBron James tonight. James is recognized as the best player in the NBA. He gained a little more respect and established his reputation just a little bit more with that remarkable display in the fourth quarter of Game 6. Still, the first three quarters and the no-show performance cannot be ignored. LeBron is a star player attempting to establish a legacy for himself. Tonight’s game could mean everything for that legacy.
Just about anything could happen in a single game. Maybe Danny Green, Kawhi Leonard, Mario Chalmers or Mike Miller steal the show with some hot shooting. Maybe Parker or James get shut out. We’ll find out tonight.
Betting Preview: Miami (-6) vs. San Antonio
I don’t buy the idea that Popovich won’t come with something for this game and I don’t buy the idea that Ginobili won’t play better or that Parker and Duncan won’t find extra energy. This doesn’t mean that the Spurs can beat the Heat, because it really is a difficult game to pick. However, it does mean that you shouldn’t buy into the theories that suggest the Heat are going to blow out San Antonio after the tight Game 6. You should bet against the spread in this match-up.
The Pick: San Antonio (+6) (5dimes.eu)
Writer’s Record Against The Spread: 21-14
2013 NBA Final • 2013 NBA Playoffs • Miami Heat • NBA Final Game 7 • San Antonio Spurs