NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: NBA Finals TV Info, Predictions and More

The 2012 NBA Finals are set and it will pit the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Miami Heat with OKC having the home-court advantage in the seven-game series.

Here's a breakdown of when and where to watch every game of the NBA Finals.

All games are on ABC (Television) and ESPN Radio (Check local listings).

Game 1: Heat at Thunder, Tuesday, June 12th, 9 p.m. EDT

Game 2: Heat at Thunder, Thursday, June 14th, 9 p.m. EDT

Game 3: Thunder at Heat, Sunday, June 17th, 8 p.m. EDT

Game 4: Thunder at Heat, Tuesday, June 19th, 9 p.m. EDT

Game 5: Thunder at Heat, Thursday, June 21st, 9 p.m. EDT*

Game 6: Heat at Thunder, Sunday, June 24th, 8 p.m. EDT*

Game 7: Heat at Thunder, Tuesday, June 26th, 9 p.m. EDT*

*(If necessary)

Thunder Keys to Victory

Oklahoma City's success begins and ends with Kevin Durant.

One of the top scorers in the NBA today, Durant is quickly incorporating a more team-oriented approach that is quickly putting him in the conversation as the best player in the NBA. His consistent contributions and late-game heroics are vital to their hopes of winning a title.

Russell Westbrook and James Harden are also important to the Thunder's success in the NBA Finals.

Westbrook will always be the right-hand man to Durant and the occasional savior when KD isn't on point for a night. Harden is the spark off the bench and gives the Thunder instant offense upon entering the game, no matter how stagnant their offense is.

OKC's No. 1 priority will be to stop either Dwayne Wade or LeBron James on any given night. They are the two most important pieces to Miami's offense and stopping just one will make all the difference in the world.

Also, if the Thunder can keep the Heat out of the paint, it'll be curtains for Miami's offense.

Heat Keys to Victory

A healthy Chris Bosh will be huge for the Heat. Having him at full strength will help Miami spread the floor and create some room on offense. He also gives his team that third scorer they so desperately need.

James and Wade are obvious keys to Miami's success. The dynamic duo must average at least 50 to 60 points combined per game to even get into the conversation of them winning this series. Neither one can afford to be off a single night.

Penetration into the paint will be vital. James and Wade attacking the basket is the foundation of this team's offense and will help create easy points for their teammates.

There won't be many blowouts in this series, if any, and that means Erik Spoelstra must do a better job strategizing down the stretch. 

Defensively, the Heat will have to use their quickness to play lockdown defense on Durant and Westbrook on the perimeter. The last thing the Heat can allow is for both to get hot from the outside. If Miami can keep one of those two at bay, they'll have a great shot at winning.

  

Prediction

The 2012 NBA Finals will be between two incredibly talented teams.

Oklahoma City's offense will be far too much for Miami to match. The Thunder's size in the paint with Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins will make it impossible for the Heat to dominate down low with D-Wade and King James.

That will force Erik Spoelstra's team to win from the perimeter and that is not when the Heat are at their best.

Forced out of their comfort zone, the Heat won't be able to play well enough to keep up with a more talented Thunder team that can beat them in several different ways.

Conclusion: Thunder over Heat in six games.