In a season that was marked by many serious injuries of star players, the road to NBA Finals has started with the big forces winning, or being close to do so, their first round opponents. The Miami Heat has been the most remarkable team this season where injuries have been a key factor and have set the balance among teams and conferences. Still, the playoffs are all about having a good team along with momentum going on. As anticipation grows, we take a closer look at the teams that have a shot at being the 2012-13 NBA Champions.
Miami Heat
Miami has put together a terrific season this year, winning the NBA no. 1 overall seed . Their season has been the most successful in franchise history, finishing with a record of 66-16 along with a 27-game winning streak, second longest in NBA history. The Heat have been doing great in all aspects of their game all season long, thanks to the quality of their roster led by most likely second straight time MVP Lebron James. Their only flaw is rebounding, as they finished with an average of just 38 rebounds per game. Miami is using both penetration offensively with James and Dwyane Wade, as well as mid-range shots from Chris Bosh and three point plays with shooters Ray allen and Shane Battier. Their playoff run started against the Bucks which they swept with ease. In addition, no major injuries have occurred to any of the Heat players, with the only problem being Dwyane Wade’s sore knee. All there’s left to see now is if anyone can stop Miami’s terrific season on their way to second straight NBA championship.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have been a force for several years now in the NBA and this season was no exception for them. Their core players Parker, Duncan and Ginobili, although considered aged by many, have proven to be still able to deliver for San Antonio, as they now seem to have set a collision course with Miami in the finals. Gregg Popovic has developed a solid system in which they added the athletic Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. The Spurs's major problem is tireness, as their team wore out last season during the playoffs resulting in a loss in the Western Conference finals. Condition and freshness will be a key factor this year too for San Antonio. The Spurs managed to sweep the injury-plagued Lakers and now they look forward to continue their run to what might be a last chance for another ring for Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City’s season started with the trade of last year’s sixth man James Harden, yet despite that the Thunder have managed to make another great season, led by the improved Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. OKC kept their hot offense going throughout the season with Durant averaging 28.1 points per game and Westbrook averaging 23.2. Westrook particularly showed improvement in his game, recording more assists and choosing smart plays to become a tool for OKC, who finished second in the West Conference. OKC has the constant help of serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins to add to the team’s athleticism, providing with rebounds and strong defense. The Thunder would be the favorite to reach the finals for a second year if injury didn’t hit Westbrook who will miss the rest of the playoffs, however OKC remains a force not to be ignored.
New York Knicks
New York has started shifting from an average team to a strong contender in the Eastern Conference last year with the trade of Carmelo Anthony. Yet still, last year wasn’t successful for them, as injuries and bad team condition led to an early elimination by the Heat in the first round. This year the Knicks have a more consistent team under coach Mike Brown and have added to their roster key role players, such as Kenyon Martin and Jason Kidd. The individual contributions of Carmelo Anthony, who was named scoring champion of the season with 28.7 average points per game, and J.R. Smith who was named Sixth Man of the Year have put the Knicks in no. 3 in the East. The Knicks are based a lot on their three point shots and the brilliance of Anthony’s game, if those two factors don’t work though New York can be shut down offensively with not many more alternatives. The way they perform right now, they seem to be the most likely opponent of Miami in the Eastern Conference finals.
There are several more teams that could be contenders this year, although their playoff start was a slow one and some of them are already facing elimination. No. 3 in the West Denver Nuggets made a spectacular season, after they acquired Andre Iguoadala from Philadelphia, showing a lot of improvement in their game and putting together a 15-game winning streak. They currently have a 3-2deficit against Golden State.
The Indiana Pacers finished second in the Eastern Conference after a great season where Paul George was awarded Most Improved Player of the Year. However Danny Granger’s injury has cost the Pacers the push they need offensively. They are currently tied 2-2 against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Los Angeles Clippers, a team that has emerged as a force the last 2 years, had a promising season with star point guard Chris Paul leading the way, along with Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and a bench full of reliable backups with names like Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill. The Clippers are now facing a 3-2 deficit against the Grizzlies, as Griffin has an ankle injury that holds him back and the Clippers seem to have an offensive lockdown.
Finally, the Chicago Bulls have one of the best defenses in the league, but their team has been full of injuries this year, making them less competitive than they would have been if everyone was healthy. Carlos Boozer stepped up and Joakim Noah helped a lot in the defensive end this year, but if Derrick Rose had made his comeback a little earlier, then the Bulls might have had a better chance stopping the Heat in the East.