San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat Game Time: 9:00 pm EST
NBA Finals Game 4  TV Coverage: ABC
NBA Finals Game 4 Odds at JustBet: Miami -5.5 Total: 197

2014 NBA Finals Game 4 Analysis: The San Antonio Spurs will look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead when they take on the Miami Heat in game 4 of the NBA finals from American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

For the first time in this year’s playoffs, the Miami Heat were defeated on their home floor. The San Antonio Spurs hit an NBA record 75.8% of their shots in the first half en route to a 111-92 victory in game 3 on Tuesday night. The Spurs hit 13 of 15 shots and had 41-25 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Miami did rally in the third quarter, cutting the lead down to seven, yet the Spurs put the hammer down in the fourth quarter outscoring them 25-17 in the final stanza. Kawhi Leonard had his best playoff performance in his career, finishing with 29 points while Danny Green and Tony Parker each chipped in 15 for the Spurs. The Spurs shuffled their starting lineup with forward Boris Diaw getting the start in place of Thiago Splitter. Diaw and Leonard put forth a superb defensive effort, holding LeBron James to just 22 points. James also had 7 turnovers, and finished with a +/- of -21 for the game. Miami point guard Mario Chalmers continued to struggle, finishing with just 2 points and was 0-5 from the field.

We thought that San Antonio would respond with a better effort offensively after shooting 43% from the field. Well, they shot better alright, shooting almost 60% for the game. Miami didn’t bring the same intensity on the defensive end as they did in game 2, and it allowed San Antonio to get out to such a big lead that the game was over at halftime. It was said that the focus San Antonio had in the hours leading up to the game was intense, and it was more than apparent. The Spurs remembered their last time in Miami in last year’s finals, and they didn’t want the outcome to be replicated. I am once again grabbing the points again tonight with San Antonio. I just can’t fade them getting this many points, as I think they are the much better all-around team. I fully expect Miami to once again put forth a focused defensive effort, but with the way Mario Chalmers has been playing, I can’t lay the points. I expect Miami to pull out a game 4 win with their backs against the wall, but San Antonio won’t make it easy. The result of game 3 proved that the Spurs really have a bad taste in their mouths from last year’s finals. I think their focus and overall talent can’t be ignored even against a team as good as Miami with their backs against the wall. Miami wins, Spurs cover in game 4.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat  Free Game 4 Pick: San Antonio +5.5 Under 197
San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat Game 4 Prediction: Miami 96 San Antonio 93