Bulls vs. Heat (tied 1-1)
The Bulls and Heat are doing battle in the East and it is a battle of defense. The Bulls come in with the best scoring defense in the NBA and the Heat aren't far behind. Through the first two games, the Heat have had a lot of trouble running their half court offense but have had success with fast break points, especially in game 2. The key for the Heat is to keep the Bulls off the glass. The Bulls live off second chance point and if they aren't scoring there, all the weight goes on the shoulders of the MVP. Rose has been up and down these playoffs but has come through with clutch, big time performances when it matters most.
The Bulls key to winning is scoring. We all know Rose can score, but he needs Deng, Boozer, and the bench to come on and hit the open shots like in game 1. In both of the games played thus far, Rose has struggled to get to the bucket and when he has gotten there, he hasn't been able to finish. In game 1, Rose was hitting jumps shots all over the floor so getting to the rim was not as big of deal, but he showed in game 2 that he is still a work in progress. In game 2, Rose was not hitting his mid range or 3 point shot and that forced him to go to the hole but he missed countless buckets uncharacteristically. Rose is usually one of, if not the best finisher in the game but could not find a way in game 2.
LeBron and Wade have both been relatively quiet in the series. LeBron scored 29 in game 2 but to me, it felt mor like a 20 to 25 point performance. Difference was, he hit shots at the end of the game and the Bulls didn't. Wade has scored 24 and 18, but hasn't done anything like he did last year by carrying his team byn himself or in 2006 when he was the MVP of the finals.
What I am taking from this series is that the defense being played is that much better than it even looks. When Wade, LeBron, and Rose all struggle to score, you know it is tough out there. The Bulls are playing the same way they have played all year. They win with defense. They stay in games even when they can't buy a basket. In game 2, it felt like the Bulls should have been down at least 10 but with around 4 mi9nutes left it was still tied up at 73. The big men of the Bulls have been stellar in this series and are going to have to continue that play if they want to bring this one home.
When it comes to the Heat, their key is to keep Udanis Haslem on the floor. If Haslem has the endurance and durability after missing almost the entire season, it could be a huge gain for the Heat. Other than Haslem, the Heat are relying on Bosh, Wade and LeBron and that is it. That is why I am predicting the Bulls winning in 7. I believe the Bulls bench is too deep and that the role players of the Bulls are so much better, they will easily outdo the Heat's bench and help cancel some of what the big 2 do (Bosh is not included). Deng needs to play well and Boozer needs to step up his game and it will be NBA Finals for the Bulls.
Mavericks vs. Thunder (DAL Lead 2-1)
This series has been a shootout so far. We all know Dirk can score the ball almost whenever he wants and we know the same is true for Durant and even Westbrook. The biggest story in this series is how to stop Dirk. It seems no matter how tight they play him, he can shoot over it s the Thunder started double teaming him and that turned Dirk into more of a facilitator than a scorer, but Dallas broke the tie in the series anyway with a big win in game 3.
The Thunder are dealing with a young point guard in Westbrook who is over aggressive at times and is taking major heat from the media for that. He is being accused of taking too many shots and not being the distributor that they need at the point. I have a differnet view of things. Westbrook does play on the team with teh top scorer in the league, but that doesn't make him the best player every night. I think we have seen enough of Durant being bad these playoffs that I can see the justification for Westbrook trying to take on the scoring load. Durant is a great player, but his game is too one dimensional for my taste.If Durant's jumper is not on, he is going to miss a lot of jumpers and 3 pointers. He needs to get in the weight room and develop some sort of post game and work on his quickness to get to the rim. If Durant could have a Kobe like post up game and get to the rim at will, he would be easily the best player on the floor.
When it comes to the Mavericks, they are a offensive team. From the starters to the bench, almost everyone can hit 3's and can carry them for stretches during the game. Jason Terry and Peja Stojacovich are great shooters and with J.J. Barea running around anyone who guards him, the Mavs are going to be a tough out anytime you play them and the Thunder are finding that out.
I predict that the Mavs will bring this one home and Dirk will get his shot at a ring. The Mavs bench is too much and the Thunders' youth will hold them down some. Durant and Westbrook are still a year or two away from winning it all and I believe it is the Mavs time.
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