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Weeks ago I wrote an article on capitalizing on the Spurs at future odds of 3-1 and 5-1. Those odds were in the Dallas series. There was only a day that the odds were at 5-1, when they were down 2-1 in the series to the Mavericks.

It’s easy to jump on series odds when it’s down to the final two teams. Action is likely sky rocketing on both the Heat at +105 and Spurs at -125. The fact of the matter is that neither price has great line value right now.

Oddmakers are at your mercy right now. They have the series priced exactly how it should be. The home team Spurs are the odds on slight favorite, but they’re not writing off the possibility of a three peat by the Heat.

The best approach if you did not pick the Heat or Spurs weeks ago, is to wait out two to three games.

This series is projected to go seven games by just about every media outlet. The Spurs want to end a dynasty that’s been around since the late 90’s, and the Heat want to get a coveted three peat.

This will not be a quick series.

As in any type of financial market, the proper time to make money is when the odds become a better buy. If any of these teams gets down one game by losing home court advantage, injuries, or a 2-0 deficit, value is going to shift.

This would be the opportunity to pounce on a future buy.

Hold your reservations on placing your money on the counter. Yes there has been a big gap of NBA rest days from conference championships to the start of the Finals. But action will begin Thursday.

If you’re really looking at getting a solid wager on a future bet in the series, put a play on the series MVP.

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Just a few days ago the San Antonio Spurs were the odds on favorite to win the NBA championship. After a dominating series against the Trailblazers they continued to make things look easy in the first two games of their series against Oklahoma City.

Their team looked deeper than ever. The second unit could come in and expand the lead with ease. The tables have turned thanks to one healing player. Serge Ibaka.

This swing in the series not only reshapes the possibilities of a Finals representative, it gives a whole new spin on the NBA futures odds. Jay Kornegay and his team at the LVH Hilton will be putting out a dramatic shift in championship odds.

This happens from time to time in the NBA, but Miami will surely be the odds on favorite once again.

To hand them the title seems like a virtual reality, but I’m not sold on this Heat team. They’ve been able to uplift themselves as a true contender because of the weakened East. There wasn’t a strong team at all in their way this season.

That will change versus the Spurs or Thunder. Two teams the Heat have defeated in prior finals, but those were also stronger Heat teams.

As brittle as the Heat are, one minor injury or a stretch of poor games by one of their big three could do them in. If Chris Bosh plays as poorly as he has the Heat may find themselves in a big series hole like the first go around against Dallas.

Swaying the daily pendulum of the new hot team days are numbered. Now is your chance to mark your team and see what happens over the course of the next two and a half weeks.

My money would still remain on the Spurs.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks are still far behind in their division. Any chance at gaining ground will have to be done on a series by series and game by game basis. The Diamondbacks bats are going to be hit or miss throughout the season. They’re just too young of a lineup to be relied upon just yet.

Where strides have begun and where promise shows is with the Diamondbacks pitching staff. Bronson Arroyo was brought in for over 9 million this season. His struggles early on were well-documented. Later the Diamondbacks admitted they likely brought Arroyo back a bit too early from his spring training setback.

A veteran pitcher like Arroyo is able to withstand setbacks and that’s what he has done. In his last six starts he has only had one poor outing. That came against the St. Louis Rams in which he gave up five earned runs. All came on two-out hits which translated to the scoreboard.

His other five starts were marvelous. He has regained his command while keeping his walks down and strikeouts steady. When he is on the mound the Diamondbacks have a pitcher that can extend beyond five innings and keep their shaky bullpen at bay.

Another surprise has been Josh Collmenter. Collmenter has filled in admirably from the bullpen for bust Trevor Cahill. Collmenter does not have the durability to go beyond six innings, but he has been pitching to his strengths. Getting outs on low amounts of pitches and delivering on what the Diamondbacks need.

Arroyo has been a strong waiver wire pickup for those that were fortunate enough to get him. Collmenter should be an option as well in deeper leagues. His stint on a fantasy roster may not last the entire season, but manipulating the waiver wire to your advantage has to be a priority all season. Take advantage of Collmenter if you’re struggling in pitching.

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The attraction of Sportscenter highlights has a brain wash effect for NBA team’s fans and in turn to NBA general managers. Busts are bound to happen but the attraction of a high flyer never goes away. had the attention of every college and the NBA while in high school.

Why? Because he made it look easy and possesses uncanny athleticism. Putting him on the court with college athletes was not an easy transition like people would have thought. He struggled just like most freshman do, but also put together solid games that caught the eyes of the media. Riveting games like the one he had against West Virginia are all reasons to draft Wiggins. As a number one pick is the question.

We all were shocked when Cleveland selected Anthony Bennett a year ago as the number one pick. This time around there would not be any head scratching with Wiggins. Can he live up to the billing and deliver with all the top prospects Cleveland has? Maybe. Time to develop just won’t be a luxury for Wiggins. What we saw a year ago with Bennett will not be replicated in Cleveland. Bennett was often times sat on the bench and did not receive proper minutes of a number one pick. Instead he looked like a project of a second round pick.

Struggles will happen for Wiggins. When they do what will be his signature basketball skill set to rely on? Likely his athleticism. His latest one step vertical leap was showcased all over social media like an art display at an exhibit. It’s social media hoopla. No different than Nik Stauskas showcasing a video of him making numerous three’s in a row, or the numerous others on youtube.

During certain games in the Big 12 conference, Wiggins athleticism did not translate to on court success. His go-to move in college was to use his foot speed to get in the lane and attack the rim. His slight frame and the NBA’s more physical nature will likely take that ability away in the NBA. That and the fact that there will be true power forward’s and centers in the lane to prevent an easy attempt. The Big 12 just did not have too many lane protectors this past season.

People expecting Wiggins to run away with rookie of the year should truly evaluate his season at Kansas. He just is not ready to be the type of rookie that Michael Carter-Williams was last year. Heading to Cleveland may darken his early career than brighten it. Just a half-season ago Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters were in a public tantrum against each other. There likely were more players involved in the Cavaliers pointing fingers sessions.

All of Cleveland’s core and nucleus involves young players. They all want shots just like they did in college and what they’ve shown on the professional level.

The media is profiling how unique of an opportunity the Cavaliers have with getting the number one pick for the third time in four years. It’ll truly be unique when all the players end up on different teams because they couldn’t win with each other as a Cavalier.

They can’t even keep a coach. The fan base is growing anxious for a producer and may not get it.

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The Pacers and Heat play game three Friday, which figures to be a mental builder for the winner. If the Heat win, they gain full momentum in a series that people doubted them off of game one. If the Pacers win, then we all know this series will likely go to seven games.

Game three’s are always pivotal. With the Pacers style of play they need this more. They can ill-afford to go down 2-1, and then 3-1 to Miami.

The curiosity of Paul George’s status will likely lead up to game time.

While most are drilled in on the point spread, I’m going to focus on the total. These two teams have changed very little in their starting lineups over the last two years. That means these rosters will have squared off an amazing, 17 times in two years. Eight games in the regular season, and now nine playoff games.

It’s safe to say both coaching staffs know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as the players. Games literally are going to come down to execution, free throw percentage, turnovers, etc.

Stretches of poor shooting are bound to happen, especially with more at stake in game three. In case of overtime, I would bypass playing the total on the complete game. Instead take the under on the first half and cash.

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The answer to the title is no. A year ago the Heat nearly lost in the NBA Finals thanks to hot shooting from unheralded performer, Danny Green. He tailed off considerably in the final games of the Finals. Now the Heat must figure out a way to cool off George Hill. A task that should not be difficult.

This is not to discredit George Hill, it’s to discredit the Indiana Pacers. Indiana has been bashed by the media countless times, only to respond. There wins and responses often get erased the following game with an unsettling performance.

Indiana’s success when they’re winning is from standout defense and opportunistic steaks on offense. The problem with this Pacers team is their defense has not been nearly as consistent as it was earlier this season. Offensively they’re still the same but can go through poorer stretches of scoring.

That’s where I believe the Heat can turn things around and close out the Pacers. Even yesterday’s monster lead by the Pacers was almost erased. Getting to the free throw line was the obvious difference yesterday in addition to the Pacers hot three point shooting.

Look for that to be a detriment to the Pacers offense in game two. They’re not a jump shooting team and they’ll likely come out shooting from three point range once again. That’s what the Heat want.

Indiana will not go 8 for 19 from three point range in any other game this series. When the Pacers aren’t proficient from three point range they turn into a poor college basketball team in half court offense.

The lack of a true point guard hurts the Pacers this deep in the playoffs. Turnovers will start to become a problem and late shot clock attempts. Eventually their defense will cave as has been the case time and time again.

Don’t worry Heat fans. The time for a change is near but not yet.