Folks, I am a perfect reverse indicator, and going against my predictions is the surest bet you can make. But let's see if I can get at least one pick right in the 2012 NBA Finals.
This prediction is airing on the side of fun, in hopes that Oklahoma City can extend a series that initially promised to be longer than five games. So, here we go: I predict a Thunder victory in Game 5.
There is reason behind the hope. Once again, OKC suffered a poor three-point shooting night, going 3-of-16. In Game 3, they also failed with the high-risk, high-reward triple, going 4-of-18.
Many have fixated on James Harden's poor game and bad series overall, but what they have neglected to mention is that a few of his wide-open threes rattled halfway in. With a slight reversal of fortune, we could be singing a much different tune for Harden, and the Thunder, after Game 5.
There is another, non-statistical reason to like the Thunder: Dwayne Wade appeared to hurt his back in Game 4. The Miami Heat superstar has not been quite himself in these playoffs, probably on account of a balky knee coming into the series. A back injury, serious or not, should make matters all the more difficult.
Combine better luck with a gimpy Wade, and this could become a series.