NBA Picks: Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 2

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat meet for Game 2 of the NBA Finals. Find out what odds are on offer and where we are placing our NBA picks in this matchup.

Game 1 was a tale of two halves, as the Heat dominated throughout the first half, and they the Thunder shook off the rust of not playing for several days, and stepped up their games on both ends of the court in the 2^nd half. The Thunder outscored the Heat 58-40 in the second half in route to a 105-94 victory.

Game 2 has come after a day off Wednesday, and NBA odds makers have been busy taking a load of bets on the Thunder laying points. As the spread opened around -4 ½, the public has moved the line up to -5 ½ in favor of the home Thunder, as over 61% of the public is on Oklahoma City.

While Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook shined in Game 1, Lebron James and Dwyane Wade could not match their intensity in the loss. Westbrook and Durant combined for 63 of the Thunder’s 105 points. Durant was a machine in the 4^th quarter, while Westbrook was incredible in the second half.

Will the Thunder be able to put together a whole game of good play, or will the Heat turnaround this series tonight on the road? It will take more of Wade for the Heat, as he only had 19 points on 7-19 shooting.

Are you expecting someone to really step it up in Game 2? Check out all of the prop betting odds on tab for tonight's game and try to cash in with your favorite players.

4^th quarter woes versus 4^th quarter heroics

We all know how Lebron struggled in the 4^th quarter of last season’s series against Dallas. James is now 2-9 SU in NBA Finals games in his career. Lebron shot only 2-6 in the 4^th quarter of Game 1, and didn’t score until the 6-minute mark in the 4^th. Not only does Wade need to have an all around better game, James needs to start closing better.

In all, the Heat also need to do a better job rebounding the ball in Game 2. Miami was outrebounded 43-36 in Game 1, as five Thunder players had at least 6 rebounds. Nick Collison, who played the entire 4^th quarter, had five offensive rebounds, and 10 total rebounds.

Keys to Game 2

For the Heat, they just need to get their guys going. Obviously it’s tough on the road, but Miami has enough to get the job done. If they can play like the did in the first half of Game 1 in the entirety of Game 2, Miami will win. 

The Thunder need to defend and execute like in the second half of Game 1. Durant and Westbrook will get their points, and the other guys like Collison, Harden, and Ibaka need to show up like they did in Game 1.

The Sharp Picks

This game is a bit scary, as the sportsbooks seem to be trying to play us. However, I’m bringing back the teaser for this one, and I think this game will be much more competitive throughout. I don’t expect the Heat to disappear after half time, but at the same time, I don’t expect the Thunder to play well just in the second half.

As I mentioned in my early lean video and video, I do expect this total to be lower in Game 2. Both teams are capable of defending the whole game, but if the Heat get into a shoot out with the Thunder, they will find themselves down 0-2 heading home for Game 3. They will focus their play on the defensive end. 

These two teams met twice during the regular season, and both times the total went under. Say thanks to the squares that pounded up the total, because four of the last six games between these two have gone under, and the average total for those six games was 199 points. Even though this total is lower, I see a game in the low to mid 90s.

My Picks: 

4 ½ point teaser-Thunder -1 & UNDER 201 ½