San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat in the NBA Finals 2013 Game 1 takes place on Thursday night in a mouth-watering match up which many are predicting could be a classic series. Game 1 is scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m. ET.
This will be a close one, and the Heat will be hoping their offense can break down the Spurs' defense efficiently. The Heat have shot an NBA best 49.6 percent from the field during the regular season. That amazing form was also shown against the best of the Eastern Conference as Miami also shot an NBA best 47.2 percent in the Playoffs.
The Heat have struggled to maintain their average points per game in the postseason though, dropping from 102.9 per game in the regular season to 97.2 in the playoffs – still impressive though.
Meanwhile, the Spurs have become known for their top defense which has successfully stifled halfcourt offenses all season long. San Antonio possess the best halfcourt defense in the NBA, allowing 0.836 PPP. That have improved since the regular season when they posted a sixth-best 0.857 PPP in halfcourt situations.
The Spurs defense has been vastly improved in the postseason – in the regular season they kept opponents to 44.2 percent shooting and 96.6 points per game. In the playoffs they have improved those figures to 42 percent and 91.5 points per game.
Meanwhile offensively the Spurs were second only to the Heat in the entire NBA, shooting 48.1 percent from the field during the regular season. They also averaged 103.0 points per game – ranking them fourth in the league.
Since the Playoffs began they have also maintained their impressive offense, shooting 46.9 percent and 101.6 points per game.
The Heat this regular season have blown hot and cold defensively. They gave up an average of 95.0 points per game, which was the fourth best in the NBA, and kept opponents to 44.0 percent shooting.
They have also improved significantly over the Playoffs, allowing just 87.6 points, and keeping teams to 42.9 percent shooting.
Game 1 will set the tone for the rest of the series, and this should be a fiercely fought content with both teams wanting to get their noses in front early on.
San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat tips off at 9 p.m. ET and can be watched online through live stream by clicking here.
