On Thursday, the defending NBA champion Miami Heat will face the 4-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the 2013 NBA Finals. Game 1 will be held at the Heat's AmericanAirlines Arena and will start at 9PM ET.
The San Antonio Spurs have a long rest after their 4-0 sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies in their Western Conference championship. The Spurs have won their 4 NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2007.
They have a Big 3 of their own with veterans Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. All three players were the core of the team that brought four NBA titles in the city of San Antonio. The long rest after their conquest of the Grizzlies could either be beneficial and harmful.
Their week long rest could help their rest the players' bodies and injuries but it may also make them play rusty in Game 1 after being away from competitive basketball.
The defending champs were pushed by the Indiana Pacers into Game 7 in the Eastern Conference championship. But it was evident from the start that Miami will not let go of their opportunity to get its third NBA title for the franchise.
This is the third consecutive trip of the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals in the era of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Both teams have the components to win an NBA title but only the best team will take it home.
The sportsbook handicappers have installed the Miami Heat as a 5.5-point favorite to beat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
SportsBet ®
your source for betting information