The road to the NBA finals has not been as easy or quick for the Miami Heat, as it has been this year for the Spurs. So far, San Antonio is 12-2 in the playoffs; the Heat are 12-4. Both have earned the right to be named Conference Champions though. These 2013 NBA Finals will be a hard fought battle between two era’s of ‘Big Threes’; an established dynasty vs. an emerging one.
For each team to win there are certain goals that must be met and certain performances that must come from players. Even though the Heat were able to outdo the Spurs in their regular season series, 2-0, things will not be as easy for the Heat in this series vs. the Spurs (in which San Antonio rested most of its stars for both games).
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat just ended a long and difficult series against the Indiana Pacers. In Game 7, LeBron James rose again to the challenge with assistance from Dwyane Wade. For this young team, lack of rest should not be a factor.
The Heat, especially Wade and Bosh, seemed to be out of sync with LeBron James. During the majority of their series with the Pacers, Wade and Bosh both had multiple poor game performances, leaving the ‘Chosen 1’ to perform a solo act. With the Cavaliers, LeBron James attempted to beat the Spurs in 2007 NBA Finals, but without a proper supporting cast, James was swept by the Spurs 4-0. Though the Heat have the best player in the league, they must play like a cohesive team to win a second consecutive NBA Final.
Miami was able to out the Pacers in a dominate Game 7 performance, because Wade and James were playing together. When this dangerous duo is clicking, there is little to do to cool down the Heat. Wade needs to average 20PPG and shoot around 45% from field-goal range to help fuel the Heat to victory.
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN
A big concern for the Heat is the performance of Chris Bosh, who was completely dominated by Roy Hibbert in their series vs. the Pacers. In the playoffs, Bosh is averaging 12.3PPG and 6.6RPG. For the seven-foot Bosh, averaging only 6 rebounds per game, will not help to win the Finals; especially, when the Spurs are averaging 5.5 more rebounds a game than the defending champs. He needs to stop hanging out around the 3-point arc waiting to shoot; Bosh needs to get in the paint and get physical.
The Miami Heat are extremely lucky to have signed Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen, who has been extremely productive in the 2013 NBA playoffs. Fortunately, if Bosh does not up his game, he has Birdman there to pick up his slack. Erik Spoelstra should consider starting Andersen over Bosh, to aggressively guard Tim Duncan. As well, contribute offensively in the paint, something not seen by Chris ‘Reptar’ Bosh do in a long time.
The Miami Heat will go as far as LeBron James can take them though. Again, James has been completely dominate in these playoffs and is that much closer to securing a second consecutive NBA Finals MVP. For the Heat to win, bench performance is a must against the deep Spurs, but what matters most is the support that Wade and Bosh give to LeBron James. If they Heat do not pull out a Finals victory, things could being to change in South Beach. Whatever team issues the Heat have been going through must be settled by tip-off.
San Antonio Spurs
The last game that the San Antonio Spurs played was against the Memphis Grizzlies on May 25, 2013. The veteran Spurs head into the 2013 NBA Finals well rested and prepared; a big factor for San Antonio.
The Spur’s ‘Big Three’ have been in effect and firing on all cylinders throughout the playoffs. San Antonio’s most recent series vs. the Memphis Grizzles proved that this veteran squad is still one of the top teams in the league, as they coasted by Memphis, 4-0. Tony Parker’s Western Conference performance was for the ages; so far, he is shooting 47.5% from field goal range. Along with that, Parker is averaging 23.0PTS, 7.2AST, 3.9REBS and 1.2STLS.
While both teams are extremely talented, who is coaching will also factor in this series. These teams did not play each other with their full rosters during the regular season. Erik Spoelstra, will have to keep up with the changes Gregg Popovich throws at the Heat. The San Antonio Spurs have a deeper roster than the Miami Heat. Popovich will throw in pieces to try to hold up the Heat’s deadly transition game, if the Spurs are able to maintain control of the boards and transition with their starters on and off the court, they should be in great shape.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Aside from the Spur’s ‘Big Three’, their “X-factor” is wing player, Kawhi Leonard. This young talent has blossomed into a key player for the Spurs; with just one year of experience, Leonard has started every playoff game this year. Leonard is currently shooting 56.5% from the field and 41.7% from 3-PT range; he is also averaging 13.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 1.6 SPG. Leonard has established himself as a great defender and his biggest task this post season will be covering LeBron James. We know it is nearly impossible to stop LeBron, so Leonard will have to focus on slowing him down, get a hand in his face when James shoots, try to draw fouls and hinder James from driving to the lane constantly.
The San Antonio Spurs have been in this position before and will cause a lot of issues for the Miami Heat. We should expect another long exciting series.
Winner Prediction : Spurs 4-3
All statistics credited to basketball-reference.com and NBA.com.
I think that miami heat will win in 7 games