Heat Ties Thunder in NBA Finals Series
The best-of-seven NBA Finals series is truly heating up after the Miami Heat managed to hold off the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night to tie the series 1-1, which means even more excitement lies before NBA betting fans ahead of Sunday night's Game 3 in Miami.
Even though LeBron James and the Heat came into the NBA Finals as the betting underdogs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, they have a lot to prove. And despite losing the first game of the series 105-94, they fought back last night to win by 100-96, with James adding a none-too-shabby 32 points to the board.
Miami Maintained a Lead Throughout
Going into that game, much was made of the rivalry between James and his Thunder counterpart Kevin Durant, but on the night it was LeBron and co who were the sharper team. Despite the close scoreline, it was Miami that forged a lead early on and managed to maintain it until the final buzzer.
What's more, they did it on the Thunder's home turf, which should give the Heat a much-needed confidence boost ahead of Sunday's game back in Florida. It wasn't lost on NBA betting fans that the loss - which was the first one at home for Oklahoma City - ended the team's five-game winning streak.
Interestingly, like James, Durant also put up 32 points for his team, but he missed a crucial shot that would have tied the game. You can bet that the Thunder were disappointed by the loss, and will be intent on exacting their revenge come Sunday at American Airlines Arena in Miami.
Both Teams are Pretty Evenly Matched
The loss last night was the first at home for Oklahoma in 10 postseason games, a team that dazzled in Game 1 of this NBA Finals series that saw them overcome a 13-point deficit en route to victory. But if last night's game taught NBA fans anything, it's how evenly matched these two teams actually are.
Top-rated Canadian-friendly online sportsbook Bodog has posted the following NBA Thunder vs Heat Game 3 odds for Sunday's highly anticipated matchup. For our betting buck, however, we see the Thunder dominating the home team as Durant and co bring their A-games to the Florida showdown.
Thunder vs Heat Game 3 Odds
| Spread | Money Line | Total | |
| A Oklahoma City Thunder | +4 7/8 | 31/20 | o194 19/20 |
| H Miami Heat | -4 19/20 | 4/7 | u194 7/8 |
2011-12 NBA Finals Winner Odds
Miami Heat - 5/6
Oklahoma City Thunder - EVENS
