Spurs at Heat Game 3 Pick

San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat

Game 3

Tuesday 9:00 EST

June 10, 2014

Game 3 Line: Miami -4.5 (Subject to change. Click here for current odds)

Neither leg cramps nor the San Antonio Spurs was stopping LeBron James from an immortal performance during Game 2 of the 2014 NBA Finals.

After making headlines for his self-imposed exit during the fourth quarter of Game 1, James silenced his critics with an awe-inspiring performance that sent his team back to Miami with the NBA Finals tied at one game apiece following a 98-96 victory over the Spurs on Sunday at AT&T Center.

James scored a game-high 35 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out three assists, including one to Chris Bosh for the go-ahead three-pointer with 1 minute 18 seconds remaining, reminding us all what the king is capable of doing when someone tries to take away his power. James wasn’t out to prove a point; he was out to get his team a win, and that’s exactly what transpired.

Through two games, this series has proven that when James is on the floor, there’s no question who the better team has been. Per Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider, the Heat are plus-11 in James’ 71 minutes of action in this series, but have been outscored by 24 points during the 25 minutes he’s spent on the bench. The Spurs have been no match for James, and not even the NBA Coach of the Year, Gregg Popovich, has a solution for slowing James down.

Although Boris Diaw has given a valiant effort in trying to defend James, the Spurs certainly haven’t gotten help from Kawhi Leonard, who can’t stay out of foul trouble. Therefore, not being able to be on the court. Going forward, it’s not going to make a difference who is asked to guard James. No one is capable of it.

After a 2-0 series lead was within their reach, the Spurs unraveled, blowing their chance to be halfway home to an NBA championship. While San Antonio had a opportunity to do something that no Heat playoff opponent has ever been able to accomplish since James, Bosh, and Dwyane Wade joined forces, home-court advantage is now in the hands of the two-time defending NBA champions.

While four straight free-throw misses by Tony Parker and Tim Duncan when the Spurs held a two-point lead with 6:30 to play may be the turning point in this series for the Spurs, James then put his stamp on Game 2, hitting five straight. Instead of the Heat facing all the pressure heading home for the next two games, the pressure now shifts to the Spurs needing a split in Miami to have any chance of dethroning the champs.

For San Antonio, winning one game will be tough. Winning two in South Beach will be impossible. There’s no doubt that when James has played, the Spurs do not stand a chance. According to their record, they are the NBA’s best team, but in this series, they are just second fiddle.

Now, Miami enters Game 3, having won a franchise-record 11 straight postseason games at home. The last team to win a playoff game in Miami was the Spurs, winning Game 1 of last season’s finals. And at least for one more game, the Heat will extend their franchise record to 12.

I haven’t picked against the king yet. Three games in, don’t start calling me Benedict Arnold now.

My Pick: Heat -4.5 Bet these odds now!