Pro hoops come down to Florida and Oklahoma
It's gone just as we've predicted so far, as the Heat beat the Celtics in Game 7 in Miami. The finals will be a true test for Miami -- they haven't seen the likes of the Thunder in a long time. OKC beat Dallas, the Lakers, and then the Spurs -- a 12-3 record in the playoffs, and riding a four-game win streak. Miami is 12-6, and they've played the Knicks, Indiana, and Boston. You've got to favor Durant & Co. to go all the way, but it won't be easy.
| Posted at 9:10 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (10)
It's a match-up puzzle that'll be fun to see play out: Lebron on KD, Wade on Westbrook, Bosh on Ibaka, Battier on Hardin?
Sefolosha on Lebron? Westbrook on Chaumers?
I can't wait to see how this unfolds.
Imagine just a 3 on 3 game between the Big 3s. Bosh and Hardin are not alike at all so that throws this up in the air. That's where the forces aren't directed against each other, and that means role players will be asked to guard one of the Big Three on each team. Interesting.
Posted by Bill McDonald | June 9, 2012 10:02 PM
Go Miami! Can't stand the "Thunder" or their fans. Save Our Sonics!
Posted by Savannah | June 9, 2012 10:23 PM
What are "Sonics"?
Posted by Jack Bog | June 9, 2012 10:45 PM
"Sonics" are big "boom!" sounds, like the one made when Seattle's NBA franchise left town.
Posted by Mojo | June 10, 2012 1:02 AM
On paper it looks like Oklahoma City will take it. But you never know.
Posted by Jo | June 10, 2012 5:57 AM
It feels like this Miami team better grab a ring now - if ever - because the OKC era is going to last for a while.
Posted by Bill McDonald | June 10, 2012 6:53 AM
A "Sonic" is also a compact Chevy.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2013-chevrolet-sonic-rs-news
Posted by Mojo | June 10, 2012 10:20 AM
Sonics? It's a Fast Food Chain in he Midwest.
Posted by PDXileinOmaha | June 10, 2012 3:04 PM
I agree with Bill. The match ups are what make this series fascinating. Miami has the advantage in the strength department with their top two- Wade and James vs Westbrook and Durant. Think Miami will start Battier on Durant and maybe switch James over to him late in the game to try to stay up on him all game without putting James in foul trouble . Westbrook may have trouble defending Wade down low, who's almost as quick and much stronger than Parker. Think Ibaka is underrated and cancels Bosch out. Which leaves Hardin as the odd man out, or what the TV guys call the X factor. It's a role he's exploited all season long.
A lot depends on how the games are called. I suspect Miami will want to play the more physical East coast grind game (while running on turnovers) and hope to move OKC out of their comfort zone. Question is whether they can do that. No one else has been able to, and the Lakers tried pretty hard. If Popovich couldn't slow down the Thunder (and I confess to thinking he could), I doubt it can be done. Unless, of course, the refs decide to swallow their whistles for the men in black.
Posted by Drewbob | June 10, 2012 8:37 PM
Bosh sure showed more game than I gave him credit for in the Celtics series. Also OKC won't be able to use the every-other-day format anymore to wear down the other team. I think it's Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday now.
Posted by Bill McDonald | June 10, 2012 8:58 PM