Vegas Play of the Day: NBA Finals Game 1

By Taylor Bern

Thursday, June 5, 2014 | 10:55 a.m.

Here’s the latest installment of the Play of the Day, which uses odds from the South Point. Our three sports writers started with a $10,000 bankroll — fictional, of course.

Miami Heat plus-4.5 at San Antonio Spurs: $440 to win $400

These are the last days of being able to pick men’s basketball games for a few months, so hopefully I can take advantage.

Until I actually see a couple of games, my strategy heading into this series would be to take any underdog getting three or more points. As always, part of that is wishful thinking; I want these games to be entertaining.

But it’s also difficult to determine who has the upper hand. The Spurs would have won the NBA Finals last year if not for the Heat’s miracle comeback, and San Antonio is probably even better than it was last season. Well, depending on Tony Parker’s ankle that is.

And while Miami is still amazing, its bench is probably a little worse than last year. How much will that matter? Can’t say, but it’s not a great starting point.

I love watching the Spurs, but if I have to pick the series winner right now, I go with the Heat. So that, plus the hope that these games will be close, makes going with Miami at plus-4.5 tonight an easy call.

Standings: Bern (29-20-1, $11,869), Keefer (24-28, $8,568), Brewer (18-27-3, $4,450)

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.