Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I thought of taking the chicken's way out and making a prediction after first seeing game one. But what the heck.
If I was a betting man I'd go Heat in six games. It helps that the new format gives them a possible closeout game on their own floor. That's a hunch and I wouldn't be surprised if I was totally wrong. At the beginning of the 2014 playoffs I didn't think either team would make back to the Finals. So that shows how well my forecasting can be relied on.
The only reason I go with the Heat is I remember watching the end of game seven last year. For all of the Spurs talent I watched Duncan and Ginobli specifically make mental mistakes in the final mintues. Ginobli made a few costly mistakes in the final 3 minutes of game seven. Meanwhile LeBron made all the right plays. He hit key shots from the top of the box because the Spurs had zoned the paint up to keep him out.
In close games, and I think these games will be close, I like James and Wade more than anyone else on the other side. They are two of the best closers in the game. And they are on the same team. But I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up totally wrong. The Spurs are loaded with talent. And this may be the series where Leonard steps up takes his place has their best player. It could really go either way. And for that reason I KNOW this is going to be a good series.
Playing against a bunch of softies means that earn more rest, among other things. In addition, you really don't need to go all out, just do enough of the little things to get the job done. There are definite advantages when entering the final stage. I won't hold that against the Heat, but it's the truth.
While the Heat did sweep the Bobcats, those weren't easy games for Miami. Charlotte played well. The Nets actually were less than a minute away from tying that semi-final series. The Heat won the final two games of that series by a combined seven points, including a big fourth quarter comeback in Game 5. You could say Miami simply outclassed the Pacers. That was lopsided.
You can say the East didn't have the quality of the West, but I wouldn't say the Heat were not tested in the playoffs. They were given resistance in the early rounds.
While the Heat did sweep the Bobcats, those weren't easy games for Miami. Charlotte played well. The Nets actually were less than a minute away from tying that semi-final series. The Heat won the final two games of that series by a combined seven points, including a big fourth quarter comeback in Game 5. You could say Miami simply outclassed the Pacers. That was lopsided.
You can say the East didn't have the quality of the West, but I wouldn't say the Heat were not tested in the playoffs. They were given resistance in the early rounds.
so does that argument mean the east is better than people give it credit for, or does it mean the heat are not as good as they are given credit for?
The 2014 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat is set to be a close series. The two best teams in the league will be squaring off.
Now, Facebook data shows that fans' allegiances are almost split down the middle as well. By our count, Facebook fans in 26 states prefer the Heat versus the 24 states that prefer the Spurs. Only time will tell how this series plays out!
You know, this is a battle for the ages. I haven't seen finals hyped like this in a long time.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
