The stage is set as the Miami Heat prepare to take on the Oklahoma Thunder in the NBA Finals.
The Heat have been here before, this time they face a hot Oklahoma team that four years ago was among the league's worst.
Before this NBA season began, LeBron James and Kevin Durant were going up against each other - part of a four-day series of grueling workouts. Now, they will be butting heads - not to mention elbows and other body parts - again, this time in the NBA Finals.
Starting tomorrow night, the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder will do battle to see who will reign as champs this season. James invited Durant to work out with him during the NBA lockout in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. James now says "it's only right" that the two of them are now competing for the NBA title, saying the series is "going to be a real test."
The Heat punched their ticket back into the Finals on Saturday night with a 101-88 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 7.
You can watch the finals on KTRE-TV. The following is the matchup and schedule for the NBA Finals (includes KIA NBA Countdown) beginning Tuesday, June 12, 2011.
Game 1 – Tuesday, June 12, 2012 – Miami Heat @ Oklahoma City Thunder (includes KIA NBA Countdown) – 7:30 p.m. central time.
Game 2 – Thursday, June 14, 2012 – Miami Heat @ Oklahoma City Thunder (includes KIA NBA Countdown) – 7:30 p.m. central time.
Game 3 – Sunday, June 17, 2012 – Oklahoma City Thunder @ Miami Heat (includes KIA NBA Countdown) – 6:30 p.m. central time.
Game 4 – Tuesday, June 19, 2012 – Oklahoma City Thunder @ Miami Heat (includes KIA NBA Countdown) – 7:30 p.m. central time.
IF NECESSARY:
*Game 5 – Thursday, June 21 2012 – Oklahoma City Thunder @ Miami Heat (includes KIA NBA Countdown) 7:30 p.m. central time.
*Game 6 - Sunday, June 24, 2012 - Miami Heat @ Oklahoma City Thunder (includes KIA NBA Countdown) – 6:30 p.m. central time.
*Game 7- Tuesday, June 26, 2012– Miami Heat @ Oklahoma City Thunder (includes KIA NBA Countdown) – 7:30 p.m. central time.
Sports Director Wes Hamilton will have scores and highlights on the East Texas News and on KTRE.com.
Copyright 2012 KTRE. Some information provided by AP. All Rights Reserved.
