NBA 2012 Playoffs: Conference Finals

2012 NBA Playoffs

On time this go around, here are my conference picks. As much as they pain me.

Eastern Conference Finals: HEAT defeat Celtics, 4-1

-I want the Celtics to beat them so badly. I would never rejoice more in being wrong if this comes to pass. But honestly it probably will not. The HEAT are more talented just because of their top two guys. And to make it worse, games 5 and 7 will be at home. My prediction for the series is that the HEAT take the first two games mostly because the Celtics are so tired from their previous series. The Celtics will play well in the middle of the series but with the deciding games at home and an eventual Chris Bosh return at some point middle to late in the series, the HEAT take this and return to the Finals. Rondo and Garnett should be great, especially considering their matchups, but I have no idea who covers Wade. And as Wade goes, the HEAT go.

-The only way the Celtics can make this competitive is if Pierce negates Lebron best as that is possible, Bass plays well close to the bucket, Allen/Pietris bug the heck out of Wade, and Rondo puts up a triple double or near it each and every game. Seriously, a Bill Simmons’ like 42 Count Club every game. I am taking Garnett being brilliant for granted. Could this happen? Yes, Rondo is brilliant enough. But is it likely? Unfortunately not. But it would be a hell of an end to the Big 3 Era to cripple the Heatles.

Western Conference Finals: Thunder over Spurs, 4-2

-I oscillated on this for a while. I truly believe San Antonio is the best team in the NBA. But I think the Thunder are the NY Giants to the Spurs’ New England Patriots. OKC is the correct kind of team to take them down. So they do so in 6, ending at home because if it gets to a game 7 the Spurs will win.

-Matchup wise it is so close. Harden cancels Ginobili. Parker and Westbrook cancel on speed and passing ability, Parker’s leadership and experience is countered by Westbrook’s athleticism. Duncan/Blair/Bonner’s skill set is well countered by Perkins/Collison/Ibaka. But the first reason I am picking OKC to win this series is Durant.

-Durant will probably be played by Leonard, who I like a lot. But he hasn’t been pushed yet. They have equal youth and energy, but Durant has five years of experience. Durant is the best scorer on the planet. He has shown to be clutch throughout his career, this season, and in these playoffs specifically. Durant will own this matchup. Scary part? He hasn’t even had an explosion yet this postseason. It is coming.

-However, the second and larger reason I am picking the Thunder is the competition. The Spurs have rolled since tax season. 18 straight and most of them not close. But they had the Jazz, who had no business being here. Then they took out the Clippers who were hampered by injuries and coming off no rest since their Memphis series. The Thunder took out the defending champion Mavs, and then took out 2 time champion Lakers. While both teams were not their best, it was much better than the combo platter that was the Clippers and Jazz.

Finals pick:

I have said the Thunder for a while and am not going to change now. I have also said the Western Conference was winning regardless of who it was, and am staying on that too. Durant for Finals MVP, and may a dynasty begin this year. In Oklahoma City. Seattle will now light itself on fire.