SnoTap NBA Conference Finals Preview

2014 NBA Playoffs delivered the best first round in NBA history. The second round didn't deliver like the first round did, but it still brought a ton of fun. The two seeds in each conference are in the Final Four meaning it went completely chalk, but that doesn't mean we will not have great games. It should be very exciting. 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1.) San Antonio Spurs vs. 2. Oklahoma City Thunder 
Game 1: Monday May 19th 8:00 pm TNT
Game 2: Wednesday May 21st 8:00 pm TNT 
Game 3: Sunday May 25th 7:30 pm TNT
Game 4: Tuesday May 27th 8:00 pm TNT 
Game 5 (Thursday) Game 6 (Saturday) Game 7 (Monday) -  If Necessary

Reason Spurs win: They are at full strength... sorta - Oklahoma City swept San Antonio in the regular season, and Brooklyn-Miami thought us that it is meaningless in the postseason, but if you look at how many key players for San Antonio missed an Oklahoma City is pretty interesting. Manu Ginobli missed two of them, Tiago Splitter missed one, same goes Kawhi Leonard. Tony Parker's hamstring is a concern, but other than that, San Antonio is coming in with their full unit. Also Gregg Popovich getting a couple extra days and an extra game to look at this version of Oklahoma City is always a good thing.  
Reason Thunder win:  Reggie Jackson, the Spurs killer - There are not many people whom have their best games against San Antonio, but Reggie Jackson is one of those rarities. He owns San Antonio. Jackson averaged 21 points against the Spurs which was his highest total against any Western Conference opponent. If Tony Parker is hurt plus Patty Mills not being a great defender, Jackson could have a transcendent series off the bench. It will be interesting to see how Scott Brooks manages the minutes between Jackson, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.  

X Factors:  Spurs - Kawhi Leonard, Thunder - Steven Adams - Leonard is going to be the Durant stopper. He could do some of the similar things Tony Allen did in the first round. And Leonard has done some good work against KD as he only averages 27.3 this season which was second worst against a Western Conference team along with only shooting 43 percent, one of his lowest numbers. If Serge Ibaka's calf is worse than we think, Adams becomes an even bigger player, but he showed some real promise in extended minutes in Game 6. He will obvious frustrate Tim Duncan and Splitter, but in no way get under the skin like he did in Los Angeles.   

Prediction: Thunder in six - Doesn't it just feel like it is Oklahoma City's year? After coming back in Game 5 against Memphis, Zach Randolph getting suspended, the refs controversy in Game 5 of the Los Angeles series, everything seems to be breaking for them. I also think Durant has been on another level and poised to make it back to the NBA Finals. It really does seem like KD is possessed to get back to the NBA Finals.  

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1.) Indiana Pacers vs. 2. Miami Heat 
Game 1: Sunday May 18th 2:30 pm ABC 
Game 2: Tuesday May 20th 7:30 pm ESPN 
Game 3: Saturday May 24th 7:30 pm ESPN 
Game 4: Monday May 26th 7:30 pm ESPN 
Game 5: (Wednesday) Game 6 (Friday) Game 7 (Sunday) - If Necessary

Reason Pacers win: Paul George plays like a superstar - There have been a couple shining moments for George whether it be Game 4 against Washington or Game 7 against Atlanta, but the consistency hasn't been there. In five of the 13 games in the playoffs, George scored 18 or less points which isn't what you want from a superstar. Now he has a thrill for playing against Miami so maybe George elevates his game to another level, but he will need to be much better than he was for the majority of the Washington series.  

Reason Heat win: Dwyane Wade needs to be a true second banana. LeBron James is obviously important to Miami winning basketball games, but Wade will be needed in this series. Indiana's defense is still good no matter how dysfunctional they have been for the last couple of weeks. They will shutdown James at some point and will need a solid second option. In three games against Indiana, Wade scored 21.3 points plus he showed some signs of life on offense in the past few games. He needs to actually be a factor rather than a guy whose just there with a big name. We have seen in this rivalry before where Wade has a throwback game so don't be surprised if he throws out a 35 point night. 

X Factors:  Pacers - George Hill, Heat - Chris Bosh - Because Roy Hibbert has been subpar, no one is realizing how poorly George Hill is playing right now especially in the last couple game as Hill turned in two single digits effort. He needs to be a factor with Indiana's offense. Chris Bosh had one big shot against Brooklyn, but other than that, he really just been another guy. Bosh will face a tough inside game with David West and Hibbert, but his ability to spread out the defense could pay off huge dividends.  

Prediction: Heat in five -  You know how movies will come out with sequels or trilogies based on the success of the first two movies? And sometimes the sequel is great, and then the third movie is complete shit. Godfather Trilogy is a great example of this and basically, the third serving of Indiana-Miami feels like this will be the Godfather III. Not really that exciting of a series leading to Miami dominating in five games.   

-Charlie. 

Eight Thoughts About NBA Playoffs Weekend

Even though I am taking a slight break form SnoTap, I still am watching as much sports as possible. I had work through the weekend so I DVR'd a ton of NBA programming much to the dismay of my 'roommates.' What a weekend for the NBA on the court. Obviously, what happened off the court is terrible for the league, but we can make the argument, has the league ever been better than right now?  Every night is must-see television with four series and a possible three more going sixth games (Sorry Bobcats) is fantastic for the product.  Let's talk about some of the things that happened this weekend. 

1.) Rockets-Blazers is the best 3-1 series I have ever seen - WHAT A SERIES. Three of four games have went to overtime. Each game has been must-see television and will be again when Portland tries to close them out in H-Town on Wednesday night. Once again, Houston had Portland where they wanted them until a late run yet Houston battled back finding a way to earn it at the free throw line giving them a quick lead before Mo Williams happened. Jeremy Lin is the obvious goat in this game. All he had to do was pass the ball ensuring Williams would not cause the turnover and then he had a putrid close out against Williams which allowed the long-time veteran to force overtime Wes Matthews had two clutch steals in the extra period to ensure victory for Portland. Four Trail Blazers had 20+ points.

2.) Reggie Jackson is owed millions of fruit baskets - Game 4 was a true turning point in the Oklahoma City-Memphis series because the Thunder won an overtime game where Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook combined 30 points. 30!  That's usually a point total for either Durant or Westbrook so the fact they won forcing another trip back to Memphis is unbelievable. All the credit goes to Reggie Jackson with 32 points and nine rebounds with 11/16 from the field. Jackson is a true slasher but he did add two threes in this one. He played 21 more minutes than he did in Game 1 or 2 so I will be interested in seeing how much run Jackson gets from the rest of this series.

3.) Washington might be the second strongest team right now... Wait what? - Dead serious man. It is Miami and then Washington. You could put Portland there too, but let's be real, they have played better in the final five minutes of the game rather winning complete games. Washington has it all right now ranging from scoring guards to tough interior presence as well as guys who aren't going to take any shit from anyone i.e. Nene getting popped for a game for head-butting Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal getting in Kirk Henrich's face. I love the makeup of this team right now, and I think it is not unreasonable to think this team can end up in the Eastern Conference with ease.



4.) Vince, Monta... Dallas up 2-1?  How? - Man, I have no idea. Your guess is as good as mine. I thought when San Antonio played Dallas, it was better than facing Memphis. But these are a group of wily veterans who have been there before and Rick Carlisle is one of the most underrated coaches in professional sports are giving them all sorts of problems. Monta Ellis has been terrific thus far in the series creating all sorts of problems for San Antonio. I don't think the Spurs are in trouble, but this is definitely going six or seven games.

5.) Clippers too distracted to win the series? - We already talked about Los Angeles situation with Donald Sterling this morning, but now I am wondering if they are in a little bit of trouble with the Warriors. Los Angeles gave up 118 points on Sunday with Golden State going 55 percent from the field and nearly 50 percent from three including a red hot from Stephen Curry. Also Los Angeles had 19 turnovers. I am not saying they will mail the series in through the rest of the way, but I cannot help but think they are wondering 'Why am I playing for this team?'  It's a fair question to ask right now.



6.) LeBron's staredown of MJ is a full heel move and an awesome one  - Not much to say here, but it was a professional wrestling move from LeBron. He knows people compare him and Michael Jordan all the time where Jordan is still the fan favorite. LBJ gave him the 'I don't give shit who you are look, I am the king of this business.'  I loved it. Embrace the villain Bron, I have been saying that for years. Although now, I think Miami needs to win another championship or LeBron's staredown will be a popular meme this June.

7.) Brooklyn and Toronto looks like a hockey playoff series - This has become quite a physical series where the fouls are hard and scoring is not easy. Toronto held Brooklyn to 79 points on their home court with a strong defensive effort plus the one-two punch of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry combining for 44 points. Toronto also had a great night from the free throw line missing only four free throws while Brooklyn missed 10 of them which is an obvious difference in an eight point game. It will be absolutely bananas in Toronto for Game 5. I think this game gave T.Dot all sorts of confidence.

8.) Pacers are being held together by string - One of the big themes from this series is Indiana's slow starts in the first half of the games. Pacers only had 42 points in this one before coming on strong in the second half with Paul George and David West hitting big 3-pointers for them late in the game. Indiana is going to win this series, but if they were playing a high-quality, above .500 eighth seed, I don't think it is a given Indiana is winning the series.