Playoff Series Spotlight: Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers

*This post is by current Ateneo Blue Eagle Von Pessumal.

            Miami vs Indiana. Heat vs Pacers. LeBron vs Paul George. This is probably the most anticipated match-up of the entire NBA season. After losing in a tough series that lasted 7 games last postseason, the Indiana Pacers are exactly where they want to be: having a clean slate with the defending champions.

            These teams flat-out hate each other. With a passion, too. If you were able to catch some of their regular season games, which they split 2-2, you can just tell from their body language that they both meant business. Lance Stephenson and Dwyane Wade were going at it, LeBron was getting fouled hard every time he drove strong towards the basket,  and every single player just seemed to raise his own level of intensity. And keep in mind, those were just regular season games; now imagine how magnified that competitiveness will be once the Eastern Conference Finals begins.

Something tells me this will be one helluva series.
(image from miaminewtimes.com/ESPN)

The NBA 2014 Playoffs: Conference Finals

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Paul George and the Indiana Pacers will try to beat LeBron James
and the Miami Heat in the playoffs for the first time in three years
(Image from: AP/Lynne Sladky)

(1) Indiana Pacers vs (2) Miami Heat 
So, here we are. It took more or less seven months to happen but the dream scenario for the Eastern Conference Finals will finally happen (whew). The Heat was fantastic while going through the first two rounds of the playoffs with an 8-1 record. Meanwhile, the Pacers almost bumbled their way out of the postseason but they managed to get their act together just in time to face the Miami Heat in the ECF. This will be their third straight meeting in the last three years with Miami winning the previous two instances. The biggest difference (and advantage?) for Indy, they have home-court advantage. They actively pursued the #1 seed as early as the off-season in hopes that playing Game 7 in Indiana will topple Miami. However, the Pacers haven't used Bankers Life Fieldhouse as a place of success in the postseason. Indiana is a pedestrian 3-4 at home after going 35-6 in the regular season. On the other hand, they have been a lot better on the road at 5-1. The season series was tied at 2 games apiece with neither team winning on the road.


The Pacers have not been consistent and dominant during the postseason. Furthermore, they have paraded two separate Roy Hibberts (good and bad) during the playoffs. There's the bench-warmer version (0 points, 0 rebounds) and the starter version of Hibbert (11 points, 7 boards). Miami will be lucky if they see one of those versions playing in the ECF because Hibbert transforms to a 20-10, double-double machine when playing the Heat. However, the Heat has played a lot better than the Pacers after two rounds. LeBron James shifted up an extra gear defensively while still getting 30 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Even Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are doing okay. They're also getting production from their supporting players (Lewis, Jones, Battier, Andersen, Allen). On the contrary, the Pacers don't totally trust their bench and that will be a key ingredient in the series. The match-up between LeBron and Paul George will be the top draw but the undercard between Dwyane Wade and Lance Stephenson will also be a joy to watch. Overall, Miami has the advantage offensively (shooting and passing) especially when attacking in transition. If Roy Hibbert doesn't show up, the Pacers have no chance. HEAT in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

The 2014 MVP will play against the former two-time MVP
(Image from: USA Today Sports)

(1) San Antonio Spurs vs (2) Oklahoma City Thunder 
This will be a rematch of their 2012 WCF battle that saw OKC win 4 straight after losing the first 2 games to the Spurs. The Thunder has won 10 of their past 12 games against the Spurs including a 4-game sweep in the regular season. They didn't meet last year because Russell Westbrook got hurt which resulted in a 2nd round defeat for OKC at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies whom the San Antonio Spurs promptly swept. Both teams struggled in the 1st round and almost got eliminated by lower seeds but they prevailed after winning Game 7 at their respective home-courts. The Spurs finished with the best record in the West during 2012 and this year plus they have home-court again but that didn't mean much two years ago. Anyway, it seems that the Spurs can beat any team in the league except the Thunder. That can definitely change in an instant but OKC gives San Antonio match-up problems especially when it comes to handling Russell Westbrook.Will that be the same case this year? Which team has been better so far?

OKC barely escaped the LA Clippers in Game 5 but fortuitous calls that favored OKC gave them the win and helped pave the way for a showdown with the SAS. Meanwhile, the Spurs easily dispatched the Portland Trailblazers but Tony Parker suffered a hamstring injury that might limit his effectiveness. The Spurs need TP to be 100% in order to make Westbrook work defensively and possibly get him into foul trouble. Parker's ability to attack the paint may induce Westbrook to constantly cheat and gamble on defense. That will force OKC to rotate and help defensively which means open shots will be available for all of the Spurs' shooters. We all know that SAS loves to spread the wealth and share the ball while OKC loves to shoot the ball and keep the rock (or maybe just RW). However, the tandem of Kevin Durant and RW can win ANY series if both guys are shooting well AND making plays for their teammates. The Spurs don't have anyone that can truly stop KD but they have multiple defenders who can bother him (Kawhi, Marco, Diaw, Green, Manu) while they don't have anyone who can guard Westbrook consistently. My heart wants another Thunder-Heat NBA Finals especially a KD vs LBJ sequel but my brain tells me otherwise. Russell Westbrook needs to be the perfect complement to Kevin Durant in this series. I don't see that happening especially with Coach Popovich being a far superior coach than Coach Brooks. The Spurs will unleash a game plan that will flummox OKC. SPURS in 7. 

***UPDATE: Serge Ibaka was declared out for the rest of the playoffs with a calf injury. I made this preview before that was shared to the public. This is a tough break for OKC because Ibaka can defend Duncan or Splitter and his much improved offensive arsenal provides the Thunder a viable third option. If Ibaka doesn't play one second in this series, the Spurs should have a relatively easy time marching towards their 2nd straight NBA Finals appearance. New prediction SPURS in 5. I'll give OKC one game because Durant and Westbrook can probably win one at home BUT it would be a small miracle if OKC gets more than one win.

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The NBA 2014 Playoffs: Semis Preview

EASTERN CONFERENCE

LeBron James and Paul Pierce will battle in the playoffs for the Nth time
(Image from: thestar.com)

(2) Miami Heat vs (6) Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn swept Miami during the regular season. All four of the games were close including a double OT game in Brooklyn. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett love playing against LBJ, Wade and the Heat. They reserve their best efforts and consequently, best games against Miami. Even Joe Johnson and Shaun Livingston have produced big numbers vs Miami. However, LeBron James and the Heat also pick up their games in the playoffs. Miami eliminated PP and KG together with Ray Allen on the Boston Celtics during 2011 and 2012. Meanwhile, Dwyane Wade appeared to be healthy in their sweep of the hapless Charlotte Bobcats and that helps a lot because Wade can defend Joe Johnson or any other guards from Brooklyn. Chris Bosh has been okay but that needs to improve if Miami wants to prevail over Brooklyn. If Kevin Garnett dominates Bosh and the rest of Miami's frontcourt during his 20-25 minute stint, things will be looking good for the Nets. Overall, can the Nets win four more games versus the Heat (to make it 8 wins in one season)? That one is possible but very unlikely. Miami still has the best player in the planet and he absolutely hates Pierce and the Brooklyn Celtics. Heat in 6. 

The NBA 2014 Playoffs: Day 13 - Three Game 7s Coming Up

Mr. Unreliable and Mr. Inefficient? Not in Game 6.
(Image from: USA Today Sports)

#Game7 #unreliable #inefficient 
Kevin Durant got criticized by a newspaper from Oklahoma that called him "Mr. Unreliable" due to OKC trailing in their series. The headline was mostly blaming KD for the shortcomings of OKC. Sure, Durant is part of the problem but he is definitely not the biggest reason for their losses. That newspaper should have also included Russell Westbrook as "Mr. Inefficient" or "Mr. Out-of-Control" if they truly wanted to find scapegoats. Anyway, Durant took the shot in a classy and dignified way before the game. Next, he totally dominated the Grizzlies with 36 points and 10 rebounds. He got hot early and the Thunder never trailed in this game. They won comfortably which was very different from the last 4 games which all ended in OT. Russell Westbrook did his part to force Game 7 in OKC. Russ had 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and a relatively efficient game. He controlled the game perfectly because he allowed Durant to initiate more and shoot more. As for Memphis, they squandered a chance to move on to the next round and now they have a big problem because Mike Conley (arguably their best player in this series) injured his ankle. Conley's status for Game 7 is still uncertain and if he plays, he might be severely limited. Hopefully, Conley can play because we want an exciting final game!

The NBA 2014 Playoffs: Day 8 - Vinsanity Gives Mavs 2-1 Lead

Vinsanity stunned the San Antonio Spurs at the buzzer with a game-winning three
(Image from: USA Today Sports)

#Vinsanity #buzzerbeater
In the dying moments of Game 3, the Spurs and Mavs traded baskets a handful of times to put the fate of the game in question. Manu Ginobili gave San Antonio a 2-point lead with less than 2 seconds to go. The Spurs appeared to be on their way to claiming back home-court advantage. But wait a minute. Dallas still had one more chance to tie or win the game. That chance went to Vince Carter and he knew what to do. Carter for 3. BANG! Vinsanity was alive and well in Game 3. VC received a pass near the left corner three-point area. He pump-faked to get Ginobili out of the way then Carter launched a double-clutch three that hit nothing but the bottom of the net. Game over. Mavs win to take a 2-1 lead over the #1 seed Spurs. Carter wasn't shooting particularly well during the game and the series but he was ready to shoot once he got the pass. The shot that he made was reminiscent of a shot that he took on May 20, 2001 as a member of the Toronto Raptors. The biggest difference was that he missed that attempt in Game 7 of the ECF vs Allen Iverson and the Sixers. Well, for this game, he made that shot and that's what matters for Dallas and their fans.

The NBA 2014 Playoffs: Day 4 - Wizards Take 2 in Chicago

John Wall and the Washington Wizards are going back to DC with a 2-0 lead
(Image from: Associated Press) 

#OT #Beal #clutch #magical
The third OT game of the playoffs produced a 2-0 lead for the Wizards over the Bulls. Bradley Beal came out to play and he was spectacular. He had 26 points including 3 clutch baskets down the stretch to keep the Wizards close. The Bulls were leading comfortably by 10 in the 4th quarter but Washington kept trimming the lead and managed to send the game in overtime. In the extra frame, Nene took over with 6 points but Chicago still  had a chance to tie in the final seconds to go to a double OT. Kirk Hinrich was fouled with about 2 seconds to go. He missed his first FT, then intentionally missed the second one but the rebound was not recovered by anyone until time ran out for the Bulls. Joakim Noah finished with a double-double while their bench was fantastic with Taj Gibson and DJ Augustin combining for 47 points. The Bulls are in trouble of losing the series, maybe even getting swept. Odds are not in their favor but they can still recover starting with a victory on the road in Game 3.