Miami set to turn up the heat and recover from Game 1 loss
Published:The Miami Heat succumbed to a first home loss in ten games at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. However their imperious record following defeats suggests they can level the series with the San Antonio Spurs.
Tony Parker’s shot clock-beating final play helped secure a 92-88 victory for the Spurs in Miami to hand San Antonio an early advantage but LeBron James and his Heat teammates are more than capable of overcoming that disappointment.
James’ triple double of 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists may have been in vain in the first encounter.
But the fact that Miami have won 10 consecutive games following losses – with their last back-to-back defeats coming way back in January – suggests that their 5/14 straight-up price is justified.
And a Game 1 set-back hasn’t stopped the Heat from achieving their goals in the past. Since 2010-2011 they’ve lost four opening ties in a Finals series, only to take the next four games in the three previous instances.
They’ll also be only too aware that the opener isn’t necessarily a pre-cursor to Finals glory having taken first blood themselves in 2011 before going on to lose that series to the Dallas Mavericks.
Another typically unpredictable set of games are likely to take place before the destination of this year’s Championship is decided, with points markets arguably offering the safest betting opportunities.
Given that the Heat have failed to make more than the 97.7 points in seven of their last 10 games it might be better to play it safe and back them to go under that total at 5/6.
Star man LeBron James was well guarded by Kawhi Leonard in a frustrating first contest and there’s likely to be no respite from a stubborn Spurs defence.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
