LeBron James and the Miami Heat will be facing Durant and the Thunder tonight, a Game 3 that begins at 8:00 pm EST.
Game 3 represents much in the sense that each team has so far out done each other, the Thunder winning in Game 1 while the Heat in Game 2.
Both teams played both games making adjustments here and there, but so far if that has proven anything it is the fact that neither has understood how to dominate the other.
Thus, it'll be interesting to see what different buttons the coaches of the teams, Spoelstra for the Heat and Brooks, will be pushing tonight in order to give their team an edge over the other.
The Heat were seen charging and driving towards the rim with more frequency during Game 2 than in Game 1. This forced the Thunder's defense to close in on the paint which arguably freed up some space for Miami's 3-point shooters and lead them to take lesser tough shots.
Shane Battier was a key player for Miami's win in Game 2 and this is just one example.
It'll be interesting to see what changes the Thunder bring into their first two quarters after their slow 1st and 2nd quarters in both Games 1 and 2 which left them trailing behind a Miami that was leading by double digits.
During a pre-game interview, NBA.com asked Thunder star Kevin Durant about his thoughts on the Thunder's slow start in Games 1 and 2 to which Durant responded, "We just have to play harder at the start of the games. The first ten minutes of the game we just relaxed and we have to play harder. It's tough to watch the film. You say, 'Did I just do that?' so we just have to start with a lot energy."
LeBron in another interview also voiced his thoughts to NBA.Com regarding his opinion about the Thunder.
"You can't stop KD, you just don't want to give him easy ones. You don't want to give him an easy dunk or give him a transition because you didn't communicate well. He can make every shot so you have to control everyone else. Russell Westbrook will make his shots because he's that of a talented player. You just try to make him score but not score because you had a breakdown or you messed up on something," shared James.
Game 3 is promising to be another 2 hours and 40 minute thriller since it has so far lived up to its hype. And as the series continues on, the battle between not just both teams are becoming more dramatic but also the rivalry between James and Durant is becoming more evident.
Live TV Broadcast and Online Streaming
Tonight's game will be broadcasted live on ABC and the online streaming could be watched at Watchespn.com.
Online streaming could also be viewed at this location: click here.
Games 4 and 5 will be played in Miami as well.
2012 NBA Finals Series TV Schedule:
Game 3 - Oklahoma City vs. Miami - Sunday, June 17, 8:00 PM ET, ABC
Game 4 - Oklahoma City vs. Miami - Tuesday, June 19, 9:00 PM ET, ABC
*Game 5 - Oklahoma City vs. Miami - Thursday, June 21, 9:00 PM ET, ABC
*Game 6 - Miami vs. Oklahoma City - Sunday, June 24, 8:00 PM ET, ABC
*Game 7 - Miami vs. Oklahoma City - Tuesday, June 26, 9:00 PM ET, ABC
*if necessary
All games on ABC and ESPNRadio.
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