So 4 out of 5 picked the Heat for tonight and the Spurs pick did it joking...

[urunobili]

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2013/story/_/page/5-on-5-130613/miami-heat-vs-san-antonio-spurs-game-4-preview

:wow

we're doomed...

[capek]

I'd fuck that chick right in her mouth. :tu

[Seventyniner]

I bet most people are picking the Heat because the two teams seem so even that they can't imagine the series not being 2-2 after 4 games.

They're also the same kind of people who will go to a roulette table, see that black has hit the last 10 times, and bet big on red.

[BillMc]

The whole "Miami blows out its opponent after a loss" streak will end sometime. Why not tonight?

[Uriel]

The whole "Miami blows out its opponent after a loss" streak will end sometime. Why not tonight?
Because Parker is injured, LeBron is motivated, and the officials are in the Heat's favor.

[Budkin]

I don't think we'll get blown out at home but the Heat don't really lose back to back games. I'm praying we can take it thought because if will do I think we can close it out Sunday.

[SA210]

The whole "Miami blows out its opponent after a loss" streak will end sometime. Why not tonight?

Bc of the ref team. Spurs need to play almost flawless.

[CubanMustGo]

Miami had never lost a game 3 in the Finals prior to Tuesday night; Thursday is a great time to break their "haven't lost two in a row in the playoffs" streak.

[#1spursfanNvegas]

I'd fuck that chick right in her mouth. :tu

:lmao

[GrandeDavid]

Uh, the Spurs are not losing tonight.

[tesseractive]

if the spurs dont win this game tonight they will lose the series, we have a golden opportunity to win it all at home, its been 6 years, i dont care how motivated lebron is, our big three will be more motivated tonight
That's crap. This team isn't afraid to close things out on the road, and as long as we go back to Miami up 3-2, I like our chances just fine.

[BillMc]

Uh, the Spurs are not losing tonight.

+1

[m33p0]

history doesn't mean jack shit at this point.

[spurphan420]

I appreciate everyone's optimism, but its hard to disregard the fact that Tony Parker may not be 100% and this referee crew has historically given the Spurs problems.

Ultimately, there is little margin for error, for either team.

[cute_spursfan]

Unless these bozo's are nastradamus in the flesh, their
Prediction means nothing.

That said, Go Spurs!!!!!!

[Mr. Peabody]

"[W]hen the Heat play ferociously, they're undefeated." What kind of shit is that? That's not analysis. That's almost a tautology. These are experts? I've got one. When the Spurs play like winners, they win. So, if they lose this game it must be because they didn't play like winners.

[kskonn]

well- the best people at picking games have the Spurs as a favorite. Vegas is pretty good.

[kskonn]

Spurs are 1-1 in the playoffs with Scott Foster as the #1 official. The loss coming in overtime against the Warriors. The Heat are 3-1 with Scott Foster as the ref, the loss coming in game 2 against the pacers.

I guess when it all comes down to it, it really depends on who Scott Foster has money on!

[dbestpro]

There is a huge amount of pressure to call fouls against the Spurs when Lebron drives to the basket. I expect him to get a minimum of 10 free throw shots. We will not see the same call should TP attack the basket. This will not be easy to over come. This is the only reason you can logically pick against the home team in what is otherwise considered an even series.

[Beaverfuzz]

Sours by 7.

[Cry Havoc]

That's crap. This team isn't afraid to close things out on the road, and as long as we go back to Miami up 3-2, I like our chances just fine.

Yep. I said Spurs in 6 before the series started. I think we'll win 1 of the next 2, and then close it out in Miami.

[Seventyniner]

well- the best people at picking games have the Spurs as a favorite. Vegas is pretty good.

I'm seeing the Heat as 1-point favorites right now.

[hater]

Heat are going to win tonight. No way Stern allows otherwise.

Spurstalk will go Panic mode :lol

[jestersmash]

"[W]hen the Heat play ferociously, they're undefeated." What kind of shit is that? That's not analysis. That's almost a tautology. These are experts? I've got one. When the Spurs play like winners, they win. So, if they lose this game it must be because they didn't play like winners.

Most basketball "analysis" falls into this category. It's useless tautogies/non-insights.

I also find it annoying when "analysts" cherry pick stats. Everyone is focusing on the fact that the heat have never lost
back to back games since January, for example. Well,
the spurs have never lost a finals series and have never trailed in a finals
series. Clearly that means the spurs are guaranteed to win this series!

[tesseractive]

Yep. I said Spurs in 6 before the series started. I think we'll win 1 of the next 2, and then close it out in Miami.
Winning tonight could easily set up a 6-game win after Miami puts together one more super-effort game in Game 5. If we lose tonight and win Game 5, Game 6 is going to be tough because Miami can psych themselves up for winning again back at home, so it might take us 7 (my original prediction).

However it plays out, though, I think we've shown that while appropriate fear is always necessary, we don't have to be terrified of the Heat, whether in SA or back in Miami.

[jstep13]

5. Who wins Game 4?


Abbott: The no-brainer pick is the Heat, and it makes sense. When they play ferociously, they are undefeated and they tend to get ferocious after losses.


Is that like, a real stat or something? I looked it up on basketballreference.com and couldn't find a record for "when teams play ferociously"

[kskonn]

I'm seeing the Heat as 1-point favorites right now.

I was referencing the opening line from yesterday- I guess the betters were putting a bunch of money on the heat.

[james evans]

i'm picking the heat if joe crawford is officiating.

[james evans]

Spurs are 1-1 in the playoffs with Scott Foster as the #1 official. The loss coming in overtime against the Warriors. The Heat are 3-1 with Scott Foster as the ref, the loss coming in game 2 against the pacers.

I guess when it all comes down to it, it really depends on who Scott Foster has money on!
this too. it's a shame that we as fans even know who the officials are. i honestly can't name one nfl official and i watch every patriots game and a few others

[Seventyniner]

I was referencing the opening line from yesterday- I guess the betters were putting a bunch of money on the heat.

One article I saw (some sbnation site) said that the Spurs started as 2-point favorites, and news of Parker's injury moved the line to Heat -1.

[T Park]

Because Parker is injured, LeBron is motivated, and the officials are in the Heat's favor.


Why bother watching the NBa if you think it's that fixed? Stop watching.

[hater]

Why bother watching the NBa if you think it's that fixed? Stop watching.

Because it's still possible for a team to win despite the officials influence. It's very very hard, but not impossible.

[Budkin]

Heat are going to win tonight. No way Stern allows otherwise.

Spurstalk will go Panic mode :lol

I'll be pissed but ok if we lose tonight. If we lose tonight and Sunday it's over and then I'll panic.

[Spurs and Mavs fan]

@ Hater: Just how many of your predictions have been wrong?

[spurspokesman]

These commentators and bloggers are just as sore of losers as the heat. When they lose its because of injuries, schemes and (insert excuse here). But when the spurs lose its because miami can turn it on when they want to or are flat out better. They should just shut there pie holes and realize that the heat are playing a TEAM and not a few superstars. Cmon spurs and bring it home.

[Blind Witness]

"[W]hen the Heat play ferociously, they're undefeated." What kind of shit is that? That's not analysis. That's almost a tautology. These are experts? I've got one. When the Spurs play like winners, they win. So, if they lose this game it must be because they didn't play like winners.

http://cdn.tss.uproxx.com/TSS/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Kevin-Butler-Mind-Blown.gif

[Blind Witness]

@ Hater: Just how many of your predictions have been wrong?

How dare you! He uses quantum mechanics and how many times a player picks his nose to determine who wins and loses.

People with PHD's serve him hand and foot to give him his figures.

He tolds me.

You would be wise to trust everything he posts.

[100%duncan]

history doesn't mean jack shit at this point.

Finally someone said it.

[dbestpro]

Why bother watching the NBa if you think it's that fixed? Stop watching.

There are different levels of playing the fix. There is no complete fix on a game, but just the fact the one player can get a call that another player cannot get is a form of the subtle fix. The key to watch is in the way fouls are called. On team will get calls against them to bench players and at indifferent moments. The other team will get calls against their key players and at key moments when the momentum has gone to their favor. The end of the game shows the same amount of fouls but the impact of the calls can influence the out come. It is this influence (fix) that the Spurs must play through.

[hater]

@ Hater: Just how many of your predictions have been wrong?

this playoffs I predicted Spurs in 5 over lakers, Spurs in 6 over GSW, and Spurs in 6 over Grizz

My calculations do not account much for teams quitting or injuries. Lakers were good enough for 1 win but they quit(plus took on more injuries). Similarly Grizz quit, they were good for 2 wins. So I'm pretty much undefeated this season :lol

[pikkiwoki]

Is that like, a real stat or something? I looked it up on basketballreference.com and couldn't find a record for "when teams play ferociously"

It's a well known stat on lebronnutriders.com.

[dmon35]

quick question, has anybody every picked the spurs to win a game? Game 1 everyone picked Heat. Game 2 everyone picked Heat. Game 3 everyone picked Heat because they blew out San Antonio. Game 4 everyone is picking the Heat cause they always bounce back. Geez.