On Tuesday, the Miami Heat will host Game 4 of the 2012 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tip off is set at 9PM ET at the AmericanAirlines Arena.
Oklahoma City has a 2-1 series deficit against the Miami. In Game 3, the Thunder's lack of NBA Finals experience was the main culprit that causes them to lose the game. Kevin Durant was again saddled with foul problems for two consecutive games and Russell Westbrook regressed to his one-on-one mentality and over aggressiveness when Durant sat out in the pivotal third quarter.
Players aside, Thunder coach Scott Brooks is clearly outcoached by his counterpart Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. Spoelstra has the utmost trust in shuffling his bench players to rest his starting lineup. He and his Heat players have the painful experience of last year's NBA Finals. That alone serves as their motivation to reinvent themselves in the offseason and lay the correct foundation for their 2nd try on the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Oklahoma needs to calm their nerves in Game 4. Kevin Durant must defend Lebron James or Dwayne Wade smartly. His over aggressiveness in defense resulted to his foul trouble in Games 2 and 3. Oklahoma's bench must step up and James Harden must bring his energy and skills that earn him the Sixth Man award this season.
Miami has been here before; they now know what it takes to win an NBA title. Not all plays or schemes could work every game, but the ability to react correctly when the game is on the line or when things are not working in their favor is the main recipe to win an NBA title.
The sportsbook handicappers have installed the Miami Heat as a 3.5-point favorite to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder and extend their series advantage, 3 games to 1.
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