Let the People’s Finals begin: Miami Heat all set to take on Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Finals (Part 2)
Chris Bosh missed much of this year’s playoffs with strained abdominal muscle that he injured in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals against the Indiana Pacers. He returned in game 5 against the Boston
Celtics but played only 14 minutes.
However, game 7 was his comeback game in which he scored 19 points, going 3 of 4 from the field and providing Miami with a third scoring option as well as presence in the paint. In the absence of Bosh, Udonis
Haslem has also proven himself to be a good role player, adding value to the team in terms of rebounds and points.
The Thunder have a more complete roster on the paper.
Kevin Durant is this year’s scoring champion and MVP runner up. In the post season, he has played even better and opposing teams have found it almost impossible to contain him. His brilliance from the perimeter
is well documented, and he has also developed a habit of closing game, which we have witnessed throughout the playoffs.
Russell Westbrook provides regular points to the Thunder and helps them maintain a fast pace to their game, keeping the opponents on their toes. He has also come up with big time steals during this post season,
which alone have switched the momentum of close games.
James Harden, the 6th man of the Year, provides depth to the Thunder roster, and has a habit of knocking big time shots. Apart from the Thunder’s big three, Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins are great
big men who can block rebounds and score. Ibaka particularly has been joining the scoring party for the Thunder, and went a perfect 11 of 11 from the field in game 4 against the Spurs.
Thabo Sefolosha is a defensive specialist who has been used very cleverly by Thunder coach Scott Brooks. He helped contain Tony Parker in game 3 of the Western Conference Finals and since then, he has stuck to
Parker like a pest, not allowing him to regain his hot streak. He could be the difference maker in the Finals, as he will be guarding Dwyane Wade and even LeBron James in the middle.
Both teams are studded with superstars who will look to make history and solidify their legacy come the Finals. They have a great deal to prove with an NBA Championship and play similar styles of basketball.
It will be a tough series which may go to the stretch. The Thunder have the home court advantage and they are unbeaten on hone court so far in the post season. However, Miami are coming off a series against the
Celtics in which they needed an away win in game 6 to extend the series and they accomplished it.
This will be a match up for the ages.
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