There is only one meeting remaining in the 2013 NBA Finals schedule. After the San Antonio Spurs lost Game 6, predictions have the Miami Heat winning Game 7. Here are some of the reasons why the Heat have an advantage heading into Game 7.
Home Court
This is probably the obvious one. Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers packed only one change of clothes as they made a trip to Boston to play the Celtics in Game 6 of the 1985 NBA Finals up 3-2 in their series. The Lakers went on to win Game 6 and the NBA title.
Why bring this up? Because the Spurs should have shown the same desperateness. They didn't want an extended stay in Miami, unless it involved partying and celebrating from Tuesday night to Thursday morning. Now, instead of having the franchise's fifth championship, they have to wake up Thursday knowing they have a game to play at the American Airlines Arena, which will be very hostile.
Momentum
The Heat won a game that was not theirs for the taking. Miami played with desperation, seen especially in LeBron Jame's 16-point fourth quarter performance. Miami was down by 10 entering the final quarter of the game. They scored 30 points as their offense rose to the occasion and held the Spurs to just 20 points in the final quarter.
How will the Spurs respond to this debilitating loss? Tim Duncan played his heart out in the first half, placing his team in great position to win. He had 25 points in the first 24 minutes of action and the Spurs had everything working for them. Everything, except Danny Green, who only scored three points in Game 6. The Heat figured out that they would rather have Duncan beat them from the paint, than have Green beat them from the three-point line.
The Heat stole a game and now, even if the Spurs are leading late, Miami knows it still has a chance to win.
Jinxed?
We have seen teams celebrate too early. Well this time, was it the league that got ahead of themselves?
The Spurs were up by five points with 28.2 seconds left and the ESPN staff of Michael Wilbon, Magic Johnson, Jalen Rose and Bill Simmons heard the trophy being rolled down the corridor of the American Airlines Arena. Also, the Spurs were so close to winning, that there were sheets passed around asking who should be the 2013 NBA Finals MVP. Not to mention that Heat fans were leaving the arena before the final buzzer.
Everything seems to be in the Heat's favor entering Game 7. Who do you have winning the 2013 NBA Championship?
