Heat vs. Thunder Game 3: Miami Crowd Must Provide Team with Extra Spark

The Miami Heat need their crowd to step up and play a huge role in Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Heat fans, this is your time to shine.

There's been a ton of talk about how great the OKC fans are, and let's give them credit, they are really into it—but now it's time for Miami to show the sports world what it's all about.  Of course Miami fans never really get the credit they deserve—you know, they're too busy hanging out on the beach, enjoying the night life and not caring about sports—but that's a perception that can change in this series.

Loose balls become easier to dive for when the crowd applauds your effort. Big shots feel even bigger when the fans erupt and seemingly blow the roof off of the arena, and free throws become a little bit easier without a whole section making it their job to distract you with signs, balloons or anything else the home squad can think of that may get in your head.

It's a completely different ballgame when you're at home, and Heat fans can give their team a huge advantage. Remember, because of the 2-3-2 format of the Finals, the Heat can literally win the NBA Title without ever having to go back to Oklahoma City. That should make every moment of every single game must-watch, must-cheer and must support for fans at the arena.

The Thunder are a great team and they're not just going to roll over because they're on the road. In fact, I expect them to come out much like the Heat did in Game 2 and blow the doors off the place in Game 3. It almost seems like a guarantee in the playoffs. The losing team is desperate and they know that getting momentum back is integral, so they come out playing like there is no tomorrow, usually sucking the air out of the home team. This effect is doubled when that team also has to play on the road a game after losing.

That's exactly where the Thunder are, and I guarantee you they're going to come out strong, and not just in the first quarter. Every possible chance they get, the Thunder are going to try to steal the momentum.

The key for the Heat will be weathering the storm and recapturing the momentum, and this is where the home crowd is going to have to work their magic. When that shift in momentum comes, the Heat are going to need their fans to pick them back up. It's the crowd's responsibility to take action, cheer louder, be more aggressive and will the team back into the game.

Home-court advantage plays a gigantic role in what a team is able to do out on the basketball floor, perhaps more than any other sport. The home crowd can inspire players to find that extra spark they need to win games, especially in a pressure packed situation like the NBA Finals.

It doesn't matter if it's in the first quarter or with a minute left, this Miami crowd can drastically impact the game.

The Heat need their fans to provide them with that extra spark in Game 3.