photo courtesy of NBA on instagram
How good is this year’s NBA finals? Put it this way, if you’re a fan of either side, you can say that you’re team can easily be up 2-0 (Heat: if only LBJ didn’t cramp up; Spurs: if only they made those critical 4 free throws)
If the Spurs are gonna do it, they should do it in 6. This is a tall task because the Heat has been very good in bouncing back from losses. By keeping it close though, they are capable of stealing a win in the end especially if the shooters are clicking. Taking a win on a game 7 is difficult because the poise and confidence of the defending champs thrives in those moments.
The Heat will want to end it at 6 too. A game 3 win will make that possible.
Both teams’ Big 3 are playing exceptional. Usually, Bosh gets lost in the convo because he’d have the unenviable task of mixing it up with Duncan.
The only weird stat is that the team who had more turnovers won the first two games.
The difference maker this year is Chris Bosh becoming an effective long range shooter. This enables LeBron and Wade to get to the paint more unlike last year. The other is Rashard Lewis which gives continuity to the offensive game plan as a big that lurks in the perimeter and commanding attention. San Antonio have better defensive success when Birdman is in and they can choke the lane off him knowing he won’t go far.
With Rashard’s heft and considerable speed, he affects the game a little better than Shane Battier lately. He has matched up the brilliance of the Spurs having Boris Diaw on the other side.
I still think the Heat will win in 6. Why?
Tim Duncan is posting monster double doubles, Manu is healthy and Tony is a constant force. They need to find another impact player on crucial possessions. An impact player that would tilt the game on their favor and would make the game out of reach for the defending champions. The Heat seems to just wait on the prowl and pounce in the opportunity as the clock expires.
The challenger must win with a knockout blow because stacked up against each other, the challenger almost always stand short. Game 3 is where you can wind up that crucial blow.
danDAman 