NBA Finals Schedule 2013: Predictions and Viewing Info for Entire Series

When the playoffs began, the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat were just two of 16 teams that had championship dreams and aspirations after a solid 2012-13 campaign.

After nearly two grueling months of postseason contests, the field has been whittled down and only the best teams this league has to offer remain standing—the Heat and Spurs.

They are set to engage in an epic 2013 NBA Finals, one that pits an old guard San Antonio squad against a Miami juggernaut looking to add to their dynasty with a second title in as many years.

Let’s take a look at where you can watch this thrilling showdown, make some bold predictions and more in our Finals preview.

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.

 

Series Predictions

Tony Parker Will Cement Status as Elite Point Guard

Much as Roy Hibbert vaulted up to one of the top centers in the game against a weak Miami interior defense, Parker will prove to the world he’s an elite point guard by destroying the Heat’s perimeter defenders and penetrating to the paint at will.

Even with Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers likely to get assigned his way, TP is quick and agile enough to blow past them and into the teeth of the Heat’s defense. From there he can either finish or pass it to an open teammate for a three-point opportunity.

He clearly has the skills of a superstar and took over the reins of this team from Tim Duncan a while ago, but it seems many still believe the legendary power forward is San Antonio’s go-to asset.

While Timmy D is certainly a major contributor, Parker is the main reason why the Texas-based team has advanced this far. He may have been the second-fiddle during the Spurs championship runs in 2003, 2005 and 2007, but now will need to play his best to carry the team against arguably the toughest opponent it's ever faced.

Don’t be surprised if he answers the call and helps his squad push the Heat to the brink in this series.

 

LeBron James Will Dominate and Average Near Triple-Double

King James put the team on his back and dominated in the four Miami wins against the Pacers, especially in what ended up being a series-defining Game 1.

If it weren’t for LBJ’s ability to score at will and attack the basket like an absolute machine, the Heat players would be hanging back in South Beach right now watching the Finals from the couch.

Without Hibbert to worry about in the middle, James is going to have a field day against some of the slower, smaller defenders on the Spurs roster. While he could technically try to score 50 in each game, LeBron is one of the most unselfish superstars in history and will look to get his teammates involved.

Expect the reigning MVP to penetrate to the lane and pass to wide-open shooters around him, as Miami looks to get back to the deadly three-point bombarding that brought them this far.

Add in his natural rebounding ability and sheer athleticism and you are looking at a player who could easily average a triple-double during the Finals. It should be easy for him to put up numbers close to that, if he works hard and has some luck, there’s a chance LeBron actually accomplishes that goal.

Heat Win in Six

No surprises here, the Miami Heat are the better team and will end up beating the San Antonio Spurs on their home court.

Due to the 2-3-2 format, the Heat will likely drop one at home in Game 1, recover in Game 2 and head to San Antonio with plenty of doubters claiming that the Spurs have a chance to win.

However, LBJ and Co. will come out strong and win two of the three games on the road before the series returns to southern Florida.

Game 6 will be the deciding one, as the Heat continue their dynasty and hoist up the Larry O’Brien Trophy yet again in 2013.