Eastern Conference
#1 Indiana Pacers vs. #2 Miami Heat
Analysis: The Pacers and Heat split the season series 2-2.
The Pacers have not impressed me in these playoffs. Indy had not only limped into the postseason as perhaps the weakest top-seed in NBA playoffs history. Hell, check out its first round series with the Atlanta Hawks! Seven games with the Hawks? Are you kidding me?? Sure the Pacers played better against the Washington Wizards, namely winning every game on the road. But the Heat are not the Wizards nor the Hawks.
Speaking of which, Miami is a friggin juggernaut who is on a fantastic roll. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are clicking on all cylinders. Speaking of Wade, dude finally looks healthy and playing VERY well. It doesn’t hurt that Chris Bosh is playing well too. All of that spells good times for the Heat and bad news for the Pacers.
Prediction: Heat in 5.
Western Conference
#1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder
Analysis: The Thunder swept the season series from the Spurs 4-0.
I know I said earlier that most of the time regular season success against certain teams does not translate in the postseason. However, this may not be the case – at least on paper. OKC is quicker, more athletic and more talented than San Antonio. There is a reason why the Thunder beat down the Spurs in all of the games they played against each other.
I love the Spurs’ head coach Gregg Popovich. I think he will coach rings around Thunder coach Scott Brooks. I love San Antonio’s team concept. Tim Duncan is to be commended for being so fundamentally sound (they don’t call him “The Big Fundamental” for nothing). I just think that the talents of the reigning MVP Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook alone will be too much for the Spurs to overcome.
Prediction: Thunder in 6.
Categories: NBA
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