Can’t Take the Heat: Betting On Another Air Conditioner ‘Malfunction’ in San Antonio
The Miami Heat can’t take the heat it appears and this has bettors wondering, could there be another air conditioner malfunction in San Antonio for Game 2?
The temperatures reached 90 degrees after the 1st quarter and Spurs fans attending the game had to sweat it out. They were obviously uncomfortable but, with Heat star Lebron James had to exit in the 4th quarter with leg cramps presumably brought on by the high temperatures, the unbearable conditions were a small price to pay for these fans.
That begs the question: Could we have another air conditioner ‘malfunction’ in Sunday’s Game 2?
It’s possible the betting public thinks so.
The line on Game 2 of the 2014 NBA Finals did open at -4 and has since moved up to -4.5 in favor of the Spurs.
James was overheard saying in the huddle during the 3rd quarter: "I feel like I've played a whole game. They're trying to smoke us out of here.''
NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn addressed the issue in a postgame media session and vowed the air conditioning system will be fixed ahead of Game 2.
Perhaps…but what about sabotage?
A failing air conditioning system is not enough to postpone games.
“What you are looking for is to make sure that the conditions on the court are fine, and in this case there was no one slipping,” Thorn said after the game. “Once the game starts, it's in the hands of the referees. Had the referees felt at any time or had I felt at any time. I was sitting the second row midcourt were such that the game shouldn't be continued, then they would have come over and said something to me. Never did, I never said anything to them regarding the fact that the game should be cancelled.
"You know, again, in live sporting events, sometimes things transpire that you don't expect. Obviously the conditions were the same for both teams, and it's just one of those unfortunate things. Obviously you would like to have the air conditioner where it normally is and play the game under those conditions, but tonight, you know, it wasn't like that. The game continued and the game was played."
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
