Conference Finals Predictions

While the second round wasn’t near as fun as the first round, it did do one important thing: it set up GREAT conference finals matchups. Both conferences will have their best teams playing for the right to go to the NBA Finals. They all got here different ways, even with a little controversy along the way (OKC over LA), but it happened all the same.

Of course, the Sports Guys are competing throughout the playoffs. For every round, we post our predictions. If we predict the winner correctly, we get 2 points. If we predict the length of the series correctly, we get an additional 1 point. Here are the results after the second round:

Greg – 23 Points

Andrew – 22 Points

So without further ado, here are our predictions for the Conference Finals:

Western Conference

1 San Antonio Spurs vs. 2 Oklahoma City Thunder

The Spurs enter the Conference Finals playing amazing. They smashed Portland, something nobody saw coming. They are playing team basketball, and getting contributions from everyone. OKC struggled a little more in getting here, but are coming off two great finishes that ended LA’s run. KD and Westbrook have been unstoppable, but the rest of the team is struggling a bit.

What this series may come down to is if OKC’s role players can do anything. If not, KD and Westbrook won’t overcome the entire Spurs team. It hurts that Ibaka will likely miss the entire series. So the Spurs will need to shoot well from the outside, and the big boys (Duncan and Splitter) will need to own the paint.

Andrew: Spurs in 7

Greg: Spurs in 6

Eastern Conference

1 Indiana Pacers vs. 2 Miami Heat

We’ve been waiting for this all year, and honestly since their epic 7-game series a year ago. Miami has been rolling in the playoffs, while Indiana has been limping along. The good news is that Miami brings out the best in Indiana, and seems to catalyze their team. But Miami has Lebron, who has been the clear MVP of the playoffs.

One of the keys is Paul George, who must match Lebron in scoring (or at least come close). The Pacers must control the paint, and that starts with Hibbert and West. The Heat must have a productive Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh needs to shoot well from 3, as Indiana struggled with the Hawks big men that did that. Should be fun!

Andrew: Heat in 7

Greg: Heat in 7

By: The Sports Guys