The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs meet in Game 4 of the 2013 NBA Finals. Game time will be provided, but let's look closely at the important matchups of this game as the Spurs can get one game closer to winning the championship and make the series 3-1 in their favor.
Time: 9 p.m. ET
The Heat have to win Game 4. The chances of beating the Spurs three straight games looks almost impossible. However, one could argue that the schedule is in Miami's favor as Games 6 & 7 will be played at the American Airlines Arena. If they don't win today, the Spurs will still be in pace to defeat the Heat in five games, which is an embarrassing way for the defending champs to go down.
Danny Green Over Duncan, Parker & Neal
The Heat have been doing a great job on Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. Both starlets are averaging 20 points scored combined in the last two games, something we didn't see in the previous two series as Duncan and Parker carried the team offensively. The Heat are having trouble with the role players. Danny Green is only supposed to be cooking Miami on defense, however, he's being left wide open from beyond the arc and making Miami pay.
Green has knocked down 18 threes. Had he only made the five from Game 1, then it would be considered luck. When a player hits nine threes and the Heat decide to ignore him, consistently leaving him wide open from beyond the arc, then they're not being really smart. Don't expect Gary Neal to hit six threes and drop 27 points again, but whoever is assigned to Green better keep their eyes and body on him as he is the Spurs' key player on the floor.
Miller Magic
Miami hasn't received consistent play from anybody on their roster. Mike Miller would have to be the key player for the Heat. Not even LeBron James has provided the consistency necessary for the Heat to win these games. Miller has been great from three point range. He's hit 9-10 threes and hasn't missed since Game 1. Miami got Miller more involved in Game 3 and he should continue getting more touches in Game 4.
Don't miss the tipoff as the Heat can either guarantee there will be a Game 6 or the Spurs can take a dominant 3-1 lead and possibly close the series out in five games.