NBA Finals Schedule 2012: Predicting Which Team Benefits Most from Series Format

If LeBron James and the Miami Heat are sizzling after winning two straight against the Boston Celtics to advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in as many years, then Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder are on fire.

With that being said, Oklahoma City will benefit most from the series format and ultimately claim the franchise's first NBA title since 1979 when they won it all as the Seattle SuperSonics. 

The Thunder are in the midst of a four-game winning streak that began nearly two weeks ago when they found themselves down 2-0 to the mighty San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. 

So, what changed for OKC?

They returned home to the Chesapeake Energy Arena, where they have yet to drop a game in these playoffs. After finishing with a modest 26-7 record at home during the regular season, the Thunder turned into a juggernaut in Oklahoma City and have since gone 8-0 at home in the playoffs.

Unfortunately for the sizzling Miami Heat, the Thunder will boast home-court advantage in this June's NBA Finals. Therefore, in order to raise the Larry O'Brien Trophy, LeBron James and company must win inside of the raucous Chesapeake Energy Arena. 

Meanwhile, Miami has won just seven of nine at home this postseason, and has gone just 4-4 on the road compared to Oklahoma City's 4-3 away mark.

The bottom line is simple. The Thunder have a much better shot at winning on the road in the upcoming NBA Finals series than the Heat. Oklahoma City won three more road games than the Heat during the regular season; the Thunder finished 21-12 away.

Watch for the Thunder to take both Game 1 and Game 2 of the series, forcing Miami to win at least two of three games in South Beach to avoid being ousted at home in the Finals for the second straight summer. 

The Thunder will return home with a 3-2 series lead after taking one from the Heat on the road. Oklahoma City will take care of business in Game 6, however, riding the energy from a title-thirsty crowd and its players to the franchise's second NBA championship. 

2012 NBA Finals Series Schedule (courtesy of NBA.com):

Game 1 - Miami vs. Oklahoma City - Tuesday, June 12, 9:00 PM ET, ABC

Game 2 - Miami vs. Oklahoma City - Thursday, June 14, 9:00 PM ET, ABC

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

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more on the 2012 NBA Finals.