NBA Finals Schedule 2012: How 2-3-2 Format Will Impact Series

The Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder are both entering the 2012 NBA Finals quite hot and leaving a trail of scorched earth behind them. If that sounds too much like a weather forecast, then I apologize. 

After falling behind in the Eastern Conference finals, the Heat turned it up a notch and won the last two games of the seven-game series in order to advance to the final round. Meanwhile, the Thunder were watching from home as they enjoyed the luxury their four-straight wins gave them. 

One team is bound to cool off soon enough, and the schedule of the finals dictates that it will most likely be the Heat that soon become the Miami Lukewarm. 

OKC has been an absolute juggernaut on their home court during the postseason. When the Heat enter into the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Tuesday night, they will be forced to play against a team that went 26-7 there during the regular season and a perfect 8-0 during the postseason. 

It's unlikely that Miami will be able to push its road record above .500, considering that's where it enters Game 1 of the finals. 

Assuming the Thunder extends its winning streak to a superb six games—an impressive feat this late in the postseason—they'll be advantaged by the current format of the NBA Finals.

Oklahoma City won't be forced to travel back and forth between the two cities that are separated by just over 1,200 miles, but will instead be able to remain at South Beach for the week while playing three straight games at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Without the advantage to be gained by the opposing team traveling in for the night, the Heat won't be able to hold off the Thunder for all three games, dooming them to inevitable defeat when the series returns to the West.

For a team that should already be favored in the finals, this is just one additional advantage.  

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