Game Predicts Miami Heat - Oklahoma City Thunder Finals!

[Grego]

Heat! Thunder!

No, we're not talking about a hell-spawned weather phenomenon, but rather the 2012 NBA Finals, which pits the Miami Heat against the Oklahoma City Thunder beginning tonight with game one. In the wake of a near-disastrous 2011–2012 season shortened by a lockout dispute, professional basketball fans are looking forward to one of the most exciting NBA Finals matchups in recent memory.

Of course, sports and music stars have always had an affinity for one another, so we asked several musicians and artists for their NBA Finals predictions and a brief summary of how they see the series panning out. The artist predictions are in, but first some background on the teams.

The big drama surrounding this year's finals centers on Miami Heat small forward LeBron James. A three-time Most Valuable Player, James is always a groomsman, but never a groom — he's reached the finals before, but has never won. James will now face tremendous pressure to win a championship and silence his critics.

Expectations aren't quite as high for the Thunder. Formed in 2008 from the ashes of the late, great Seattle SuperSonics, the Thunder continue their remarkable ascent. Though shooting guard James Harden and point guard Russell Westbrook have contributed greatly to their team's rapid rise, it is three-time NBA scoring champion and All-Star Kevin Durant who raises the stakes. If the Thunder win the finals, sports experts will surely crown Durant the NBA's greatest active player, a situation that could be problematic for the Heat's James.

Without further ado, let's see where musical sport expert Game stands on either side of the court.

Artist: The Game (aka Jayceon Terrell Taylor)
Position: Rapper/songwriter
Favorite NBA team: Los Angeles Lakers
2012 NBA Finals prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder in six games

"The Thunder [have] got [the] complete package. I feel they have an answer to everything the Heat has got, plus more. To me, Kevin Durant is the best player in the NBA today. He can score at-will. He's got a jumper, a three-point shot [and] he can post up. LeBron is a beast, but I don't think he's a better complete player than Durant."

Written by Bruce Britt / Article from GRAMMY.com