Heat vs. Spurs: Complete Schedule and Predictions for NBA Finals

The San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, as far as the conference finals go, couldn't have taken two more different paths to the NBA Finals. 

In a series many expected to go the distance, Gregg Popovich's squad steamrolled the Memphis Grizzlies, not even opting for the gentleman's sweep. It took two overtime battles, but Tony Parker and the Spurs looked transcendent in their four Western Conference finals victories.

Miami, on the other hand, had to battle into the finals.

After winning 37 of their last 39 games and 66 overall in the regular season, the Heat seemed destined for an easy run to their second Larry O' Brien Trophy in a row. 

But after easily defeating the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers proved to be a truly formidable opponent, pushing the Heat to seven games in an instant-classic, back-and-forth series that had a little bit of everything—except, you know, a compelling Game 7.

Much like last season, LeBron James was able to propel his team to a dominant rubber-match victory, and the finals are now set. 

Let's take a look at where you can catch all the action. 

2013 NBA Finals Schedule

Note: Schedule via ESPN.com. * denotes if necessary

Game	Date	Away Team	Home Team	TV Network	Time (ET)
1	Thursday, June 6	San Antonio Spurs	Miami Heat	ABC	9:00 p.m.
2	Sunday, June 9	San Antonio Spurs	Miami Heat	ABC	8:00 p.m.
3	Tuesday, June 11	Miami Heat	San Antonio Spurs	ABC	9:00 p.m.
4	Thursday, June 13	Miami Heat	San Antonio Spurs	ABC	9:00 p.m.
5*	Sunday, June 16	Miami Heat	San Antonio Spurs	ABC	8:00 p.m.
6*	Tuesday, June 18	San Antonio Spurs	Miami Heat	ABC	9:00 p.m.
7*	Thursday, June 20	San Antonio Spurs	Miami Heat	ABC	9:00 p.m.

Finals Prediction

While the Heat looked far more susceptible in the conference finals, it's important to note they were able to advance not only against a team supremely capable of taking advantage of their biggest weakness inside, but with two of their biggest stars—Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh—playing poorly. 

Miami is still the better team. 

Still, don't count out San Antonio. The Spurs will have the second-best player on the court in Tony Parker, have a long, athletic defender in Kawhi Leonard capable of at least bothering James, have looked spectacular this posteason on both sides of the ball and have a coach that is easy to trust in this type of situation. 

This series is going the distance. 

In the end, I'll go with the team with the best player, especially if Wade's Game 7 woke him up out of his little funk. 

Prediction: Heat in 7

MVP Prediction

If anything was made clear in Miami's thrilling series win over the Pacers, it's that this team will go as far as James takes them. 

Should the Heat outlast San Antonio, LeBron will undoubtedly be taking home his second straight finals MVP. 

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