Conference Finals Reflections

Now that each team has won a game, nobody is clamoring for any team as the current "favourite." We've all seen all four of the remaining teams, Chicago, Miami, Dallas and Oklahoma City, play to their strengths and conversely be exposed for their weaknesses. With the uncertainty swirling about the status of the four teams who may have the chance to play in the finals, I will take this chance to reflect on what each team did well, and did poorly in their first two games of the series.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks
Game 1 -  

In Dallas, the Mavs prove what people have been saying all along. They are the team with experience, a diverse bench loaded with savvy veterans, who can control the tempo and control the game. Dallas set the pace in this game, and seemed tightly efficient. They took the right shots at the right times and moved the ball well. Dirk Nowitzki was out-of-this-world shooting 12-15 from the floor (80%) and 24-24 from the free-throw line (100%, in case you were wondering) on his way to 48 points. Dallas (including JJ Barea) carried the momentum of the Lakers sweep into this game regardless of their extended break between series. The Thunder's collective youth and nerve led to poor shot selection, especially from All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook who went 3-15 from the field. The Thunder showed sparks especially when Kevin Durant got out on the fast break, and Nowitzki's poor transition defence led to easy OKC buckets a couple times. As unstoppable as Dirk was on the offensive end, he only pulled down 6 rebounds. The only reason I'm nit-picking on him is because the Thunder managed to keep this game close, and Durant had 40 points including 18-19 from the free-throw line. Perkins provided a physical presence, and intimidation as he drew a double-technical after getting tangled up with Tyson Chandler. Perkins also landed an elbow on Shawn Marion and broke his nose. Matrix fought through the bleeding to continue to guard Kevin Durant admirably. The Thunder proved that even with a superhuman effort from certain Mavs players, they were a competitive team that would not back down. Questions surround the Thunder.

Game 2 - 
Back in Dallas for the second game of the Western Conference finals, the Thunder needed to make a statement. Down by nine points in the first quarter, Durant rises up off the left-side clear out play and dunks the ball through the hoop over the top of Brendan Haywood. This turned the tide in OKCs favor, as did the insertion of James Harden. Oklahoma tightened up their defense in the second half and held off the Mavs, despite clutch efforts from Dirk (16 fourth quarter points) and JJ Barea. Harden finished with 23 points and seven rebounds, including a four-point play and a flurry of dribble-moves to juke past Jason Terry and pull up for the jump shot. A memorable image of James Harden's roar and tongue swing, followed by beard-penetrating smile after the second of these big buckets will stick in my mind as emblematic of the Thunder's emotional playing style and the ecstasy they can provoke while they maintain momentum. Dirk still outscores Durant 29 to 24, but the difference was the strength of the bench, which allowed Thunder coach Scott Brooks to keep a struggling Westbrook on the bench throughout the fourth quarter. Oklahoma has yet to lose back-to-back games this postseason and now look to transfer that momentum to game 3, back home in OKC. Questions surround the Mavs.

Bold Prediction
The Thunder can continue to put up energy, but the Mavs are build for the long haul. If Westbrook and Perkins continue to struggle, Kevin Durant will have more responsibilities than Dirk (who has already performed better in both games thus far) and KD will not be able to shoulder the load. The Mavs can take control of the series, and should be able to win at least one game on the road. Mavs advance in six games. Game 3 in OKC, Saturday @ 9pm EST.

Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls


Game 1 - 
Despite holding the best record in the NBA during the regular season with 62 wins and 20 losses, the reigning Coach of the Year Tom Thibodeau, and MVP Derrick Rose, the Bulls seemed to be coming into the Eastern Conference final as the underdog. The Bulls are back in the Eastern final for the first time since MJs farewell of 1998, and the city of Chicago was ready. Not that the Heat were going to be fazed by the raucous crowds, the Miami Heatles met hateful persecution almost universally this entire season when on the road. Miami held the emotional edge until Taj Gibson brought down a two-handed dunk in transition all over Chicago native Dwyane Wade. Noah and Boozer were holding down the paint, but Boozer seemed to have no finish around the rim as lay-ins and tips went everywhere but through the twine. The two big men were able to anchor a Chicago defense that clogged the lane and forced Miami's stars into a perimeter-oriented game. The Bulls dominated on the rebounds, gathering 45 to Miami's 33 rebounds that resulted in 31 second-chance points for the Bulls, compared to only 8 for the Heat. Both teams played tough, grinding defense and wherever a player found a chance to break through the defensive wall of the opposition, they made the most of it. The Bulls capped off the home victory with a fitting Taj Gibson putback that made more than one sportsfan jump out of his or her seat. Rose had 28 points, 7 assists, and Deng had 21 points. The Heat looked lost at times at distinguishing roles of their "Big 3," while the Bulls looked like a solid team that had been playing together for years. Wade had 18 points, while James had only 12, and Bosh surprisingly had 30 points and 9 rebounds. Questions surround Miami.

Game 2 - 
LeBron and Wade were both said to be silently seething after their criticism in the aftermath of game 1. They were ripped by the same people who had lauded the pair after their execution of the Celtics in the previous round. Game 1 was the highest rated basketball game in TV history, so the Heat skeptics were all out to hate. "Meh," said LeBron who stepped up his game as the great ones do following a tough loss, and was able to adapt to the defenses he had seen in game one to finish with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, while D-Wade had 24 points and Bosh had 10 points with 8 rebounds. The Heat bench stepped up and provided the energy and the hustle plays including 13 tempo-swinging Udonis Haslem points. Luol Deng threw down a huge dunk through the lane in the first quarter, and hit a three-point buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter, but finished with a quiet 13 points. Noah showed impressive end-to-end skillsbut at times the Bulls were sloppy and the Heat seized the advantage with transition basket after transition basket. The game was tied at 73, with 4:40 remaining when Wade and Omer Asik collide under the basket and both are cut requiring medical attention. This stoppage of play halted the Bulls momentum and allowed the Heat to recompose themselves and make a 12-2 run including 9 points by LeBron James to close out the Bulls in Chicago and even the series at one game apiece. Rose had 21 points and 8 assists, but shot 7-23 from the field. Questions surround Chicago.

Bold Prediction
The Heat don't have to all play well to win, as we have seen, but when the "Big Three" of Bosh, Bron and Wade are on the same page, the Heat are unguardable. Even for the defensively tenacious Bulls. The Bulls may have a tough time scoring if the Heat continue to frustrate Rose and the Bulls are unable to find a consistent second- option on offense. The Heat can also use their length and athleticism to run the fast break before the Bulls defense can set up. Heat advance in six games. Game 3 in Miami, Sunday 8:30pm EST.