There is no doubt in my mind that these conference championships are going to be the most exciting that the NBA has had in a while. So what happens? Let's take a look!
The San Antonio Spurs vs The Oklahoma City Thunder
San Antonio has been one of the best teams in the NBA over the past decade. Though they are not always recognized because of their "boring" style of play, the Spurs look as great as ever. Tim Duncan has been dominate on the low post and Ginobili is showing everyone why he is still the best player to come off the bench. The Spurs have yet to drop a game in the playoffs and the closest margin of victory was a 6 point win in Utah. I believe the the Spurs are the favorite at the moment to win it all. The Thunder, on the other hand, are just as hot. Westbrook and CO. have dispatched the last two NBA Champions and have only dropped one game during the feat. Just like the Spurs they have two great stars and a third one that comes off the bench. Through good team play and fast break opportunities, the Thunder will test the Spurs in ways no other team has been able to in the playoffs.
If they Spurs want to win, they will need to continue to impose their style of play. It will frustrate the young Thunder and could easily get their star players in trouble. They also have an experience factor that will come later for the Thunder. San Antonio will know what they need to to to get back to the promised land. The Thunder will need to continue to get fast break points. If they can wear down the Spurs, I feel that their youthful strength can counteract their lack in experience.
All in all, I see a great six game series ahead. Both teams will show why they could both be NBA Champions, but the Thunder will have to wait for another year. The Spurs are just too hot right now for me to pick otherwise.
The Miami Heat vs The Boston Celtics
The Miami Heat have the old Lebron James and Dwayne Wade back. The duo have combined for some insanely high stat lines and are turning heads. Though the Heat had their backs against the wall with all their losses in the post, LBJ and Wade carried the team. With the uncertainties still looming in the post position, these guys will have to continue to do so. On the flip side, the Celtics have been spreading the success between players. Rondo has bee the key player, but Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce have chipped in too. I believe that the Celtics have been under performing in these first two series. They will need to change that in the conference finals or they will be heading home.
If the Heat want to win, they need to keep Wade and James hot. There is no way that this team wins without one of them. They will also need to have a formidable showing in the post. Whoever is playing post tonight doesn't need to be exactly like Bosh, but they do need to contain Kevin Garnett slightly. The Celtics will need to expose the post with KG if they want to win. It is the Heat's weak point at the moment and can easily be exploited. The Celtics will also need to score more. They have only scored over 100 points three times in the playoffs and an 87 point night wont do it against the Heat.
This series is going seven games. The Celtics have a great defense that can slow down the Heat, but there will be nights where they can't score enough to beat them. I think after a hard fought series though, the Heat will be moving on. James and Wade are on another level right now and that will truly be the difference.
Thanks for reading!
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