Photo Credit: Mark D. Smith/USA TODAY Sports
Four teams remain in the hunt for the NBA Championship. Despite a wild first round, both conferences have the number one seed facing off against the number two seed.
1. Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
The defending champs have breezed through the playoffs thus far. They have played a total of nine games, losing only once to the Brooklyn Nets. They are the most rested team still remaining. Their competition, the Indiana Pacers, have had a much tougher road to get to the Conference Finals. They needed seven games to beat the Atlanta Hawks, but they have started to look better once they started their series against the Washington Wizards. Have they overcome their struggles enough to knock off the Heat?
It is hard to tell, but leave it to Lance Stephenson to get the drama started. When asked about playing against Dwyane Wade, Stephenson said, “D. Wade, his knee is kind of messed up, so I have to be extra aggressive and make him run. Tell coach [Frank Vogel] to run ‘Floppy’ and run him around and make his knee flare up or something. Do anything possible so the games will come easier for us.”
If Wade was not motivated, he definitely is now. Stephenson may talk a good game, but talk is cheap and it s all about what the Pacers do on the court. The Heat are definitely up to the challenge; it is the Pacers who have the question marks surrounding them.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs
Oklahoma City looked like they might be able to return to the finals this season after defeating both the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers. However, they received a devastating blow when they learned Serge Ibaka is likely to be sidelined for the remainder of the postseason. This is a huge loss for the Thunder who now have to face Tim Duncan and the Spurs.
After the Mavericks took San Antonio to seven games, it only took them five games to defeat the Portland Trailblazers. The Thunder have always given them problems, but now without Ibaka, they should have a much easier time.
