Heat at Spurs Game 2 Pick

Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs

Game 2

Sunday 8:00 EST

June 8, 2014

Game 2 Line: San Antonio -4.5  (Subject to change. Click here for current odds)

The Heat, in more ways than one, were no match for the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals.

Overcoming 22 turnovers and sweltering temperatures, the Spurs extended their NBA-record to eight straight home playoff wins by 15 or more points with a 110-95 victory over the Miami Heat.

There’s no doubt, Game 1 saw the NBA’s best team take advantage of a four-time MVP being forced to the bench because his body simply failed him. With LeBron James watching from the sidelines, the Spurs shot light outs in the fourth quarter, going 14-of-16 from the field including 6-6 from 3-point range.

Danny Green, who was held in check for 3 ½ quarters by LeBron, finally found his touch with James on the bench, scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter. Although the scoreboard displayed a convincing win by San Antonio, it didn’t quite reflect a game in which the Heat led by seven points just over two minutes into the fourth quarter.

Without James on the floor, the Spurs seized control of Game 1. Miami crumbled both defensively and offensively and melted as the Spurs closed out the game with a 21-7 run. Without their leader, the Heat’s chances of stealing the opening game went up in flames faster than the temperature inside the AT&T Center.

If Tim Duncan, who once again had a stellar playoff game scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, suffered those cramps, San Antonio would have been able to recover. If Tony Parker were forced to the bench, Patty Mills would step right in. Oh wait, we’ve seen that before. And if Kawhi Leonard or Green were struggling on offense, Marco Belinelli and Boris Diaw would step right in. We’ve seen it happen all playoffs.

But there’s no player on the Heat’s roster or on the planet that can replace. The Messiah wasn’t coming off that bench and neither was Michael Jordan. Rejuvenated and healthy as Dwayne Wade is, he’s not capable of carrying this team – at least not anymore.

Ray Allen “Got Game” sometimes, and Mario Chalmers wasn’t bringing the same magic that we saw during the 2008 National Championship game when he nailed a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds left in regulation to put the game in overtime. Chalmers has been invisible and needs to play better. He doesn’t have to score twenty, but Patty Mills can’t outplay him.

So whether you love James or you hate him, there’s no denying what he means to the Heat and to Miami’s chances of winning their third consecutive NBA championship. He’s been superhuman at times, and has the heart of a warrior. Its been said he can’t do it a lone. Therefore, if the rest of the supporting cast doesn’t help, James is going to have to. He will Sunday night in Game 2, where James and the Heat will even up the NBA Finals at one game apiece.

With James on the roster, the Heat have never lost a series after starting down 1-0.. In the 2014 NBA finals, that streak continues.

My Pick: Heat +4.5 Bet these odds now!

June 8, 2014 by : Posted in Picks and Predictions No Comments
Adam Rosen

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Adam Rosen is a seasoned sports writer with special interests in Pro Football and Basketball. He has been picking sports games against the spread for years, and has posted a 56% win rate over his last 75 predictions.

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