Bettors Clueless As Heat And Spurs Prepare For Game Seven

Published on June 19, 2013 by Vincent Tapoglia III

The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs have done their best impersonation of a prize fight over the past two weeks. Each game in the NBA Finals has been one team imposing their will over the other, until a riveting game six played Tuesday night in Miami. That game will go down as one of the best finals games of all-time.

The back and forth between the Heat and Spurs has caused for some tense moments at Las Vegas sports books. Unlike in past finals', there is no clear cut betting favorite in this series. With game seven on the horizon in Miami on Thursday, bettors are stuck having to almost flip a coin to decide which way to go.

"In thirty years, I have never seen such an evenly matched series," said one Las Vegas sports book executive who wished to remain anonymous. "The betting has been all over the place, which usually makes for a good take for us."

Miami came into the series as the favorite, having won last year's title. San Antonio has proven to be a worthy opponent, and appeared to be producing the first real major upset in the series on Tuesday. With most analysts expecting the heat to win game six, the Spurs had the lead with less than 30 seconds left.

A couple of free throws would have sealed the game, but after the free throws were missed, Miami rallied with some improbable shots down the stretch. In the end, the home team escaped with a 103-100 win, sending the series to a deciding seventh game.

"People are just going to bet with their heart, but nobody, even the sharp gamblers, has any advantage in betting game seven of this series," said Analyst Grant Trowers. "This is a toss up, and anyone that says different has not been watching the first six games."

Logic, and odds makers, believe the heat will prevail. The heat are favored by six in the series finale. The total for the game remains close to where it has been all series long, at 189. San Antonio is +235 on the money line, while Miami returns odds of -275 on the money line.

Game time is set at 9PM Thursday at the American Airlines Arena in South Beach.