Oklahoma City will look to take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals tonight when it hosts the Miami Heat for a Game 2 battle at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. This evening’s showdown, which will be broadcast live on ABC, is scheduled for a 9:00pm ET tip off. NBA Odds have the Thunder listed as a -5.5 against the spread home favorite; the game total is set at 196.5 points. OKC is a -240 ($240 to win $100) favorite to win outright while the Heat at getting +200 moneyline odds ($100 to win $200) to even the series at a game apiece.
Miami carried a 54-47 lead into halftime of Game 1, but despite its first half prowess, it could not prevent the Thunder from securing their ninth home win of the postseason. Oklahoma City kept its unblemished home playoff record intact with a 105-94 victory and it also covered the 5.5 point spread to reward its backers for the 11th in 16 postseason games.
The Thunder’s comeback started with 27-19 third quarter, but they really pulled away in the final frame, outscoring the Heat 31-21 in the fourth. Kevin Durant lived up to his early billing as the favorite to win NBA Finals MVP, posting 36 points (12-of-20 FG), eight rebounds, and four assists. Russell Westbrook also had a big game, finishing the night with 27 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.
While James Harden had an unusually quiet game off the bench (five points), fellow reserve Nick Collison was outstanding in 21 minutes of action. The former Kansas Jayhawk tallied 10 rebounds and eight points, but he also played a tremendous defensive game, altering several Heat shots in the paint.
LeBron James led Miami with 30 points on 11-of-24 shooting; Dwyane Wade added 19 points, but he connected on just seven of his 19 field goal attempts. Shane Battier (17), Mario Chalmers (12), and Chris Bosh (10) also scored in double figures for the the Heat.
Tuesday’s game marked the Thunder’s third win in their last four meetings with the Heat. The burgeoning trend is symbolic of Miami’s inability to contain all of OKC’s offensive weapons, a fact which should lead to 2-0 Thunder advantage after tonight.
NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Heat are 2-7-1 against the spread and 2-8 straight up in their last 10 games as an underdog. The Thunder are 10-0 straight up (Over 8-2) in their last 10 games as a home favorite.
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2012 NBA Finals Odds Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game 2: Provided by TopBet.com
Miami Heat +5.5 (-110), Over 196.5 (-110), +200 (Moneyline)
Oklahoma City Thunder -5.5 (-110), Under 196.5 (-110), -240 (Moneyline)
