By: Alex LaGrone
Since the Indiana Pacers lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the Pacers have been licking their chops for a rematch. Now they have it, along with home court advantage. The Heat with LeBron James leading the way will need some help. Dwayne Wade has been hurt off and on throughout the season. How will he hold up in what will surely be a very physical series? There is no love lost between these two teams.
Chris Bosh will have to be more physical with the Pacers big front line. Bosh's game mostly consist of mid-range jumpers. It is not hard to make a case for the Pacers to win this series. They were the best defensive team during the regular season. They feature a rim-protector in Roy Hibbert and an elite perimeter stopper in Paul George.
The Heat still have LeBron James and the Pacers don't. Pacers coach summed it up by saying "these guys have beaten us two years in a row. We know what they are capable of. We have great respect for them but we're hoping to rise to the challenge." Pacers in six.
The San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder are the cream of the crop of the Western Conference and will meet again to see who will play in the NBA's finals. Both teams are loaded with talent and both have plenty of playoff experience.
This series will be determined by who will bring their A game. League's MVP Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will lead the Thunder. The Spurs are led by Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. This series, I believe, will come down to what I will call the X factor.
The Spur's X-factor is Manu Ginobili. Ginobili (who may win the Sixth Man Award) should have plenty of room to work with due to a season injury to Serge Ibaka. This is a tough blow for the Thunder. The Thunder's X-factor, Reggie Jackson, will need to step up as a consistent third scorer. Spurs in seven.
