Tag Archives: NBA Playoffs

Clippers Steal The Thunder

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, Clippers, Jamal Crawford, JJ Redick, Kevin Durant, Matt Barnes, nba, NBA Playoffs, OKC Thunder, Russell Westbrook, Western ConferenceChris Michaels

CP3

One of the big storylines heading into game one of the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder second round series was the two point guards, Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. Westbrook, even after dealing with a knee injury for the better part of a year, is one of the most athletically gifted point guards in the NBA. Paul, the consummate veteran, had a solid opening round series against the Golden State Warriors, but has had to deal with a strained hamstring during the postseason. While many wondered how Paul would fare against an athletic Oklahoma City team, many pointed out how Paul always seems to step up big when challenged.

Boy, were they right.

CP3

Behind one of the greatest performances of his career the Clippers traveled to Oklahoma City and blew out the Thunder in the opening game of their second round playoff series behind a virtuoso performance from Chris Paul. Paul scored 32 points in just 28 minutes of play, shooting 12 of 14 from the field and 8 of 9 from behind the three point line. He also notched ten assists while just turning the ball over two times. Paul made six three-pointers in the first half as the Clippers jumped out to a massive 17 point halftime lead on the way to a 122-105 victory.

Overall the Clippers shot 55% from the field with five total players in double figures. Blake Griffin scored 23 points to go along with 5 boards and 5 assists, while Jamal Crawford, Matt Barnes and JJ Redick also hit double figures. Los Angeles had 26 assists and just 8 turnovers. It was a perfect start to game one and a message to the Thunder and the rest of the NBA that the Clippers are ready for a long playoff push.

BLAKE

For Oklahoma City the story was again their lack of balance offensively. As this year’s postseason has evolved, the Thunder has become one-sided to a fault, relying solely on the combination of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Other than a couple of big performances from Reggie Jackson in the Grizzlies series, the Thunder has become the ultimate example of a two man team. After three quarters on Monday night the Clippers led the Thunder by a score of 104-78. Of the 78 Thunder point the combination of Durant and Westbrook scored 54. This deficit included a 22-7 Clippers lead in bench scoring.

Victory in hand the Clippers have a massive opportunity to send the series back to STAPLES Center with a commanding 2-0 lead. They’ll face a desperate Thunder team hoping not to fall behind in the second round like they did in the first round. The Clippers will start game two with a tremendous amount of confidence due to the sheer size of the blowout. Game two is Wednesday night at 6:30 Pacific.

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BY: Chris M.

Blake Griffin the Key to the LA Clippers Playoffs Success

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, Clipper Nation, Clippers, Lob City, NBA PlayoffsChris Michaels

BLAKE

There are two superstars in Lob City, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul. Both of them have a huge impact in the way the team plays and their performance usually is a key to the team’s successful results, in most of the game. Of course, the Clips have a bunch of quality role players who greatly support the superstar duo. Nonetheless, LA needs at least one of them to lead the way night in and night out. So is Blake Griffin or Chris Paul more important to the Clippers and who will be more important for the team during the 2014 NBA Playoffs?

First of all, they are both essential pieces of Doc Rivers’s puzzle. Each one does a great job contributing on his sector. However, I can fairly now say, after two games into the postseason that the performance of Blake Griffin plays a bigger factor to the outcome of the game for the Clips rather than Paul’s output.

BLAKE & CHRIS

Don’t get me wrong here. I don’t mean to say that Griffin is a better player than Paul. On the contrary, they can be characterized as stars of almost identical quality. What I can say, though, is that Paul will do his job one way or another. Even when he has off – nights, shooting badly from the floor, he will contribute in other ways. CP3 always sets up the team, on both ends of the floor and orchestrate the offensive plays. Even during the nights that he’ll finish in single digits in scoring, he will most probably dish out a bunch of assists, make some crucial defensive plays and in overall help his teammates perform better. In a way, the Clips can always rest assured that they’ll get at least something from Paul.

On the other hand, when Blake Griffin is off, the Clippers transform from a dominant, almost unstoppable team to just a good one. That’s what we saw happening in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors and also several times during the regular season. However, when Griffin plays close to his full potential, the Clips are lethal, one of the scariest – if not the scariest – teams in the West.
Griffin’s big performances can take Lob City to the next level. When BG plays like his shown he can this season, scoring in a variety of ways – yes he can even hit the step back jumper now – that’s when we see the point margin exploding in Lob City’s favor.

The thing is that Griffin has proven his full potential this season. He has shown that he can be the player the entire Clipper Nation expected him to be but up to now he wasn’t. So, if the Clips really want to make it to the top and win the Larry O’Brien trophy, Griffin will have to give his 110 percent in every game. That’s what will make the Clippers the highflying, unbeatable monster it can be, the one that can top any opponent in the league.

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BY: Chris M.

Let the Clippers Vs Warriors Playoffs Begin

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Doc Rivers, Golden State Warriors, JJ Redick, LA Clippers, los angeles, NBA Playoffs, staples center, Stephen CurryChris Michaels

CLIPPERS Vs WARRIORS

In one of the most eagerly anticipated first round playoff series the Los Angeles Clippers will face the Golden State Warriors in the opening round of the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs, starting Saturday at STAPLES Center Saturday, with game two scheduled for STAPLES Center on Monday night. The Warriors, who finished sixth in the Western Conference playoff standings, were dealt a major blow this past week when starting center Andrew Bogut suffered a fractured rib.

The Clippers are coming off of their second consecutive Pacific Division title and the top record in team history. After a disappointing exit at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies in last season’s playoffs the Clippers, with Doc Rivers at the helm, enter the playoffs with high expectations. The Clippers success has created major expectations in Los Angeles that the team is primed for a finals run. When star point guard Chris Paul went down with an injury early this year, power forward Blake Griffin took his game to the next level, garnering attention as a potential dark horse MVP candidate. In Paul and Griffin the Clippers have two established superstars, arguably two of the top ten players in the NBA. With the return of JJ Redick the Clippers are also healthy for the first time in several months, with the entire starting lineup intact.

The series will be defined by the point guard matchup between Chris Paul and Warriors superstar fourth-year forward Stephon Curry. Curry has nearly unlimited range and along with Klay Thompson forms the premier shooting backcourt in the NBA. Curry, arguably the best three point shooter in the history of the NBA, is the catalyst for the Warriors offense, constantly pushing the basketball with the ability to score from the outside and in transition.

CLIPPERS Vs WARRIORS

Due to Golden State’s unique home court advantage at Oracle Arena it’s important for the Clippers to get off to a fast start at STAPLES Center, not letting the Warriors steal a game before the series heads to the Bay Area. With Bogut out due to injury the Clippers will have an advantage inside with Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Veteran Jermaine O’Neal will be forced to play extra minutes alongside David Lee inside. Lee is already a weakness on the defensive end, and the Warriors interior defense will suffer mightily without Bogut, who is a strong presence on the boards and as a shot blocker. The Clippers extraordinary depth, which includes Matt Barnes, Darren Collison, Jamal Crawford, Jared Dudley and Danny Granger off the bench gives them depth advantage. If they can exploit their depth through an up-tempo style they should be able to offset the firepower of Curry and Thompson.

Prediction: The loss of Bogut will have a major impact on the series. The big Aussie is a major presence inside and the Warriors interior defense will suffer without him. The Clippers tremendous overall depth, as well as the coaching of Doc Rivers, should overwhelm the Warriors. Clippers in five.

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BY: Chris M.

Who will be the sixth man for the LA Clippers in the playoffs?

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, CP3, Danny Granger, Darren Collision, Doc Rivers, Jamal Crawford, JJ Redick, LA Clippers, Lob City, Matt Barnes, mvp, NBA PlayoffsChris Michaels

The Los Angeles Clippers are looking to enter the playoffs strong. With Blake Griffin playing at an MVP level and with Chris Paul at his best, the entire Clipper Nation is optimistic that this will be year the Clips will make it to the top. But who will be the most significant role player for Doc Rivers’s group during the playoffs? Who will be the sixth man?

One names comes in my mind when I hear the phrase “sixth man” and that’s no other than Jamal Crawford.

The 34-year old veteran guard won the Sixth Man of the Year award back in 2010 and he is set to win it again this year. He has been exception all season long and especially during the time Chris Paul was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Crawford is putting up 18.4 points per contest this season and I expect him to continue putting up points in bunches during the postseason.

DOC

Of course, Doc Rivers has more than one weapons to line up against any potential opponent. The Clips hope to have their entire roster available during the postseason, right from Game 1. Danny Granger, who is currently out with a hamstring injury is set to return to action. The 30-year old forward hasn’t been a big factor in the 12 games he appeared with the Clippers uniform, after he was brought in LA. Nonetheless, thanks to his veteran experience he could be a key for the Clips in the postseason. Granger can space the floor thus opening the lanes to Chris Paul, Crawford and also give more space to Griffin to work close to the basket. The playoffs are the reason why Lob City decided to acquire Granger in the first place.

REDICK

Another role player who could prove out to be a big factor in the Clippers’ championship course is J.J. Redick. The 29-year old guard played in just 35 games up to now in the season due to back injury and he instantly made his presence felt. If there was one thing the Clips tried to improve this offseason that’s team three-point shooting. J.J. Redick adds up to the team’s firepower from beyond the arc. Thankfully, Redick now seems to be ok and his 12.4 points per game average over the last five games show exactly that. The sharpshooting guard has to play big for the Clips during the postseason.

Finally, Darren Collison and Matt Barnes will have to contribute, too, during the playoffs. However, none of them has shown up to now in the season that he can be the true sixth man for the Clips. Certainly, Collison was reliable when CP3 was out. Nevertheless, unless Paul suffers an injury once again during the playoffs, Collison’s role will be limited to the backup point guard. Barnes, on the other hand earned the starting job midway through the season with Jared Dudley sliding to the bench. However, his role can be characterized as supportive rather than a sixth-man-type one.

Clippers Vs Warriors

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BY: Chris M.

Stephen Curry Carries GS Warriors On His Shoulders

SportsGolden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, mvp, NBA Playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers, Stephen Curry, Warriors Vs Clippers PlayoffsChris Cabrera

CURRY

In one of the most fascinating and close games of the 2013-2014 season, Stephen Curry lifted the Golden State Warriors over the Dallas Mavericks 122 – 120. Curry hit the game winner, a tough step-back jumper with fractions of the second left in overtime, as the Dubs were tied with the Mavs at 120. This was yet another time Curry played big for the Golden State Warriors. He is proving night in and night out that he can be the true leader for the Warriors, leading the team to a successful playoff course.

The Warriors had two significant absences. Andrew Bogut was out with a groin wound, and David Lee remained sidelined due to a strained right hamstring. However, they managed to keep things going till the final seconds of the last quarter and the extra time. Every time Dirk Nowitzki and his company tried to extend the margin, the Warriors answered right back.

Stephen Curry took the team on his shoulders after the half, scoring 17 of his 23 points in the final two periods plus the overtime. Klay Thompson provided much help finishing with 27 points on a 4 for nine shooting night. The Splash Brothers proved once again that if they find a pace, they can lift the Warriors over almost any team in the league.

CURRY

Whilst Golden State missed its two starting big men, they got a significant contribution from Jermaine O’Neal in this game. The veteran center finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and a crucial block, which came with almost 20 seconds left in the game and would have put the Mavs up by two.

The Golden State Warriors are now on their final push towards the NBA playoffs. They have almost secured the sixth spot, but they don’t seem capable of clinching the fifth seed, since the Portland Trail Blazers is also doing well as of lately. However, Golden State is a team to avoid for any of the top-seeded teams in the West. The Warriors are one of the hottest teams at the moment, and Stephen Curry is playing on a close-to-MVP level.

LIGHTS OUT

Steph Curry will be a huge factor for the Warriors come playoff time. The Warriors’ success in the postseason will heavily rely on the superstar point guard’s performance, his shooting but also his ability to cut down on his turnovers. As Curry has shown up to now, he can be the leader for the Warriors, the one to take the team on his shoulders and deliver when needed.

Golden State should face the Clippers in the first round of the postseason and it will definitely need Curry to give his all, much like the entire team will have to do in order to advance to the next round.Chris

Vist for your chance to win a Stephen Curry Bobblehead or another prize from a game on the Warriors Promotions Schedule.

Can The Warriors Go Past Round Two?

SportsAndre Iguodala, Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Klay Thompson, Los Angeles Clippers, nba, NBA Playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers, Stepen Curry, Western ConferenceChris Cabrera

WARRIORS

The Golden State Warriors have managed to keep their competitiveness level at high levels almost throughout the season. While the team faced a bunch of injuries and small periods of slump, they have now solidified their playoff spot, and they are, in fact, one of the strongest championship black horses in the Western Conference. The Dubs will most probably meet the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs, and this will be a very tough matchup for them. Can they roll past the Clips and advance to the second round?

The two teams have split the season series to two apiece this year. Although the Warriors are one of the teams with the scariest shooting abilities from the three-point range they are also a team that has experienced ups and downs this season. When Golden State focuses on cutting down on its turnovers and playing tight defence, they can be a tough team to beat. Especially when the sharpshooting duo of Klay Thompson and Steph Curry sink their shots from beyond the arc, the Dubs can be unstoppable.

WARRIORS & CLIPPERS

Nonetheless, the competition level is extreme as of now in the West. The Warriors are an excellent team, but they will face an even better one in the first round. If the LA Clippers are their matchup, the Warriors will stand some good chances to make it to the second round. Of course, if Golden State manages to steal the fifth seed from the Portland Trail Blazers and meet the Houston Rockets in the first round, things could be even better for them. Portland currently stands two games ahead of Golden State and have not been at their best shape as of lately. Although the Warriors lost two out of their three meetings with the Houston Rockets, they seem capable of matching with Houston’s strong points.

It will all come down to the Warriors’ pace and the conditions of critical players most probably, like Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut. As long as the Splash Brothers stay hot on the one end of the floor and as long as the Dubs have Iggy and Bogut shutting down the lanes on the defensive end, they can stay optimistic that they can advance to the next round. It will be a surprise to see the Warriors topping the Clips and even the Rockets in the first round. However, this won’t be the first time we saw wonders happening in the NBA.

Oracle Arena

With just four home games left at the Oracle Arena the Warriors have a potential chance to win all four since three are against non playoff teams and only one the Timberwolves should give them some struggles. Golden State sits in the sixth spot of the Western Conference only two points behind the Blazers but 5 1/2 points behind the Rockets who lost yesterday to the Clippers which would give them home-court advantage in the first round, one that the Warriors could use. Although Warriors playoff tickets are on sale now starting at just $125 a ticket the dates and venue of their first-round games have not been announced yet. All Warriors playoff tickets for games that are not played come with a 100% refund. Buying Warriors playoff tickets early locks your price in so if ticket prices raise your still set to go. Chris

Can The Clippers Beat The Spurs?

SportsBlake Griffin, Chris Paul, Clippers, Danny Granger, Darren Collison, Doc Rivers, Glen Davis, Greg Popovich, Jamal Crawford, Jared Dudley, Manu Ginobili, Matt Barnes, nba finals, NBA Playoffs, Oklahoma, San Antonio Spurs, staples center, Tim Duncan, Western ConferenceChris Michaels

Heading down the stretch in the Western Conference playoff race the Los Angeles Clippers are solidly in third place with potential to surpass the Oklahoma City Thunder for second place. Like the first place Spurs the Clippers are peaking at the right time, with victories in 12 of their last 13 games. Following their upcoming five game road trip the Clippers can finish off the season at STAPLES Center, heading into the playoffs with the potential to win as many as 60 games. Now the dominant team in Los Angeles the Clippers head into the postseason with big expectations. With consecutive Pacific Division titles and a loaded roster anything less than a deep run into the Western Conference playoffs would be a disappointment for the franchise. From the acquisition of Doc Rivers to the building of a deep bench the Clippers organization has made the moves necessary to contend for a title. The two teams in the Clippers way, the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, are veteran laden clubs with championship pedigree. Both have reached the finals the past two seasons. While the Thunder took a tiny step back with the trade of James Harden and the injury to Russell Westbrook, the Clippers look ready to make the ascent and challenge San Antonio.

Here are five reasons the Clippers will knock off the San Antonio Spurs:

DOC & GREG

Doc Rivers: Look no further than San Antonio and Greg Popovich for a perfect example of the impact of head coaching in the NBA. The Spurs are an outstanding organization with multiple future Hall of Famers, but they also have arguably the best head coach in professional sports. In seeking Doc Rivers to replace Vinny Del Negro the Clippers significantly improved at the head coaching position. The presence of Rivers has improved the Clippers significantly on the defensive end of the court. The Clippers are currently 6th in the NBA defensive rankings, giving up just 101.5 points per game and 4th in effective field goal percentage, behind Miami, San Antonio and the Houston Rockets. It’s an old adage that defense wins championships, but the adage holds true in the NBA.

BLAKE

The Evolution of Blake Griffin: In the past three months Blake Griffin has gone from a player that many around the NBA still questioned as an elite star, to a potential MVP candidate. When Chris Paul went down with an injury early in 2014 Griffin went on a tear and carried the team on his back until Paul returned. The former top overall pick is playing the best basketball of his career and will give the Spurs fits in the playoffs. Griffin has turned into the dependable post option that the Clippers need to contend for a title.

DEANDRE

Youth: Based on the past few seasons the idea of writing off the Spurs due to the age of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili would be a major mistake. Popovich has masterfully managed the roster this season, somehow locking up the likely top overall seed while managing to not play a single player more than 30 minutes per game. This strategy has preserved the legs of veterans Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. The big question is whether or not this regular season strategy can translate to the playoffs. If Duncan, Parker and Ginobili are forced to play big minutes come postseason the Clippers relative depth and youth should be a factor.

The Clippers Bench: Over the past several seasons one of the secrets to the Spurs success has been their bench strength. They’ve done an incredible job finding and developing young talent to play alongside their veteran core. The Clippers bench depth, more than any other team in the Western Conference, rivals that of the Spurs. During the recent trade deadline the Clippers made moves to acquire Glen Davis and Danny Granger, to provide even more assistance to a unit that includes Matt Barnes, Jamal Crawford, Darren Collison and Jared Dudley. As a result the Clippers boast a reserve until every bit as deep as San Antonio.

CHRIS

Chris Paul: The secret to the Spurs success over the past five seasons is the play of point guard Tony Parker. While Tim Duncan has taken a secondary role Parker has assumed the role of the go-to player in the lineup. His combination of speed and quickness makes him incredibly hard to guard and helps drive the Spurs offense. In the 28 games the two have played against each other during their NBA careers the matchup has essentially been a standstill. Parker and the Spurs have won 18 of the 28 matchups, largely due to the dominance of the Spurs during Paul’s years with the Hornets. Parker has struggled with nagging injuries the past two seasons and the presence of Paul will make Parker work at both ends of the court, expending important energy on the defensive end.

It would be a giant mistake to write the Spurs off after the dominant regular seasons they’ve had the past two years and the deep playoff run they made in 2013, but Duncan and Ginobili are a year older and their ability to continually answer the bell has to come to an end at some point. The Clippers are peaking at the right time and should have what it takes to upset San Antonio in the Western Conference playoffs.Chris Michaels.

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Can the Los Angeles Clippers win the NBA Championships

SportsBlake Giffin, Chris Paul, Danny Granger, DeAndre J, Doc Rivers, Glen Davis, Indiana Pacer, Jamal Crawf, los angeles, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, nba, NBA Playoffs, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Anontio Spurs, staples centerChris Michaels

Can the Los Angeles Clippers Win the NBA Championships?

Doc Rivers is entering his fourth season as the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers. He was brought in because of his championship pedigree, however the Clippers have yet to break through to the Western Conference Finals. With a healthy “Big Three” of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, a steadily improving bench and the support of owner Steve Ballmer, the Clippers are poised to make it to their first ever NBA Finals.

Keep on reading!

Who Will The Clippers Face In First Round Of Playoffs

SportsGolden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA Playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers, staples centerChris Michaels

Lob City

The Los Angeles Clippers are going all the way towards a strong championship run this season. The team currently is within the chase of a better seed in the West, which will increase its chances to win the title in the conference and head to the NBA Finals for the first time in its franchise history. Let’s see which the potential opponents for the Clips are in the first round of the playoffs.

Doc Rivers’s group currently stands at the fourth seed of the Western Conference. The truth is that it has been stuck there for quite some time. In fact, the Clippers will most probably fight till the end with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets for the seeds three to five. LA is 4.5 games behind the conference-leaders, Oklahoma City Thunder. We are just 20 games before the end of the regular season and the truth is that things could. However, it’s almost clear which will be the teams that will make it to the playoffs, with only the eighth spot still being a mystery.

Thanks to the recent additions of Glen Davis and Danny Granger, which fill the exact holes the Clippers had in their team, Chris Paul and Co. are expected to record an even better course till the end of the season, in comparison to their record up to now. It’s significant that the Clips have managed to stay at the fourth seed during the time CP3 was out with an injury.

Clips VS Blazers

The Clippers could also meet the Trail Blazers in the first round. This will happen if the two teams finish at the fourth and fifth spots. Although the Blazers started the season red hot, leading the Western Conference for some stretches of the season, they have now fallen to the fifth spot. This will be a very difficult matchup for the Clips, but they still have the best odds to eliminate Portland in the playoffs.

So one potential opponent for the Clippers is the Golden State Warriors. This will be a tough matchup for the Clips, since the Dubs are a very dangerous opponent. The Warriors have won two out of their three meetings up to now in the season against the Clips. Due to their ups and downs, it’s still unclear where the Warriors will end up ranking at the end of the season. However, they are for sure a potential opponent for the Clips in the first round.

Clipper Nation

A Houston Rockets Clippers is a potential first round match up as well. The Rockets have climbed to the third seed in the West, but they could fall again to the fifth in no time. This will be the first playoff appearance for Houston with Dwight Howard onboard so it’s still uncertain how the team will perform. The Clips should be able to roll past them in a seven-game stretch.

Clippers Playoff Tickets for all Staples Center games are onsale now. If a game isnt played Barry’s Tickets offer a complete refund on your tickets or you can apply it to another game if you like.Chris Michaels

Can anyone stop the Miami Heat?

Sports, UncategorizedChicago Bulls, Miami Heat, NBA Playoffs, Oklahoma City ThunderChris Michaels

During the 2012 NBA finals, we saw the Miami Heat smash the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. LeBron James finally redeemed himself and won his first ring, alongside Chris Bosh and D-Wade. It’s true that the Heat put their Championship chances in jeopardy, after Bosh’s injury during last year’s Playoffs. However, The King stepped up and zipped the mouths of all his critics about his late-game performances and his inability to deliver in crunch time.
So what has really changed since then?

Well, Miami’s chances have surely become better. LeBron, after a close-to-unreal season won his 4th MVP award in the last five years. The Heat recently knocked off the Bucks in just four games. They broke the franchise record for most wins in a season, with 66. They are putting on display a game that proves they possess what it takes to repeat. Plus they have a more powerful roster from last season. After managing to retain the core of the team, they added Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis in their arsenal. They were really tough for any team to stop throughout the season. Most of their opponents had to just pick their poison when they were facing them.
Is there a team that can really beat the Heat in seven games?

First of all, it was a season with many injuries of star players. Even when the Playoffs started, many key players for strong teams were not in their full health.

Let’s take it one by one. The most dangerous opponent for the Heat at the moment is the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite the fact that Durant lost his fellow superstar Russell Westbrook, they are still arguably the best team in the West. Although Durant is having another great season putting up huge numbers, the team could actually be less powerful than last year, when they got hammered by Miami. Kevin Martin is surely a great player off the bench and a terrific shooter. However, the loss of James Harden is surely was costly for Oklahoma. Now, with Westbook sidelined, there were many voices that the repeat just got easier for the Heat.
Apart from the Thunder, the Spurs could post a threat for the Heat, at least theoretically. Gregg Popovic’s veteran ensemble is always a countable opponent. They showed their force in the first round when they swept the injury-depleted Lakers. Health is a concern for them, too. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker experienced some injuries and were not at their 100% at the start of the Playoffs. They should be ready come NBA Finals time.
In the West, the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks are the two teams that could seriously assail the Heat. The Knicks rely much on the offense of Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith and that could be a problem for them. Keeping in mind that the Heat’s defensive system is very effective against the pick and rolls and also the fact that Miami has the defensive guru in the name of Shane Battier in their roster, it could get tricky for the Knicks to exploit them.

Indiana on the other hand proved that they came to fight. They broke New York’s home court advantage last night, taking Game 1 of their series. They also troubled the Heat extensively during their matchup last year. Miami finally advanced after Game 6. Nevertheless, LeBron and Wade hit the wall of Indiana’s big men, Hibbert and West. Should the Pacers roll past the Knicks in the East Semis, the Eastern Conference Finals will really be interesting. Of course they are still playing without their rstar Danny Granger, who is out due to a knee injury.

Miami will have to overpass the obstacle of the Chicago Bulls. This is yet another of the many teams that lacks of its best player. Derrick Rose, one of the best players in the NBA has yet to play this season. There is much speculation about his return during these series. However, nothing is certain and of course it’s questionable which version of him we’ll see after his extensive time off the courts. Chicago will also play without All-Star forward Luol Deng, at least in Game 1.
There is no doubt that the Heat are capable of winning any team currently in the NBA even with all players at full health. But now, their road to their second consecutive Championship might be a bit easier.

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