NBA Playoffs 2014: Preview and predictions
By Brad Rowland
CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 4 Chicago – The term “slugfest” is thrown around a great deal in sports, but this is the true definition. The Pacers and Bulls are the two best defensive clubs in the NBA and neither of them can claim to have an above-average offense. Translation? These games will be played in the 80’s (if that), and they’ll all be tight in nature. Indiana has more talent, but something about Chicago, whether it be Joakim Noah or Tom Thibodeau, makes me trust the Bulls, and the Pacers simply aren’t playing well right now. Bulls in 6
No. 2 Miami vs. No. 6 Brooklyn – Be ready to hear a lot of stories about how Brooklyn swept the season series with Miami, and then, prepare for the Heat to flip the script. It is undeniably true that the Nets play the Heat very well, thanks to a unique brand of basketball that slows things down and matches up with Miami’s speed, but in the playoffs (and when Miami is cooking), I’ll take the team with the better talent, and that is Miami every single time. Heat in 5
Western Conference
No. 1 San Antonio vs. No. 4 Houston – Speaking of series sweeps, the Rockets owned the Spurs to the tune of a 4-0 clip, but yet again, I’m not buying it. San Antonio brings a different level of execution to the table, and in a long series where Gregg Popovich can specifically game-plan against a relatively green coach like Kevin McHale, give me San Antonio, although it may be closer than most would believe. Spurs in 5
No. 2 Oklahoma City vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Clippers – After examining this series, it may be the ideal match-up from a viewing perspective in the West. Oklahoma City (obviously) has the best scorer in the world, but it was the Clippers who led the league in offense this season, and if there is a player to build a crunch-time unit around, Chris Paul is on the short list. The Clippers will have plenty of bodies to throw at Durant, but in the end, KD will do just enough to escape with a win in the clincher. Thunder in 7