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With barely time to catch our breath from the record-shattering events of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs, we now look ahead to some exciting match-ups in the Conference Semi-Finals.
Six of the eight teams playing were successful in Game 7 of their respective series and two of those teams, Portland and Brooklyn, won on the very last possession.
Let’s start with the Eastern Conference and the match-up that has everyone licking their lips.
Miami Heat (2) versus Brooklyn Nets (6)
Brooklyn were Miami’s kryptonite in the regular season, with the Heat losing all four games to them – albeit with three of those losses by one point, and the fourth game going to OT. Miami earned themselves an eight-day break thanks to a sweep of the Bobcats, but how will that affect them?
Rest can only be a good thing for Dwyane Wade and the cast of wily veterans the Heat have amassed. Still, they must avoid starting off slowly against a battle-hardened group of Nets veterans if they want to keep their three-peat dreams alive. LeBron James will be LeBron, and continue to do amazing things to remind everyone just who won the past two NBA titles.
The Nets will be feeling confident going into the series given the aforementioned season sweep, but will need to play at their peak to have a shot. Paul Pierce has wound back the clock recently with his supreme play, and if the Nets can exploit their size all over the court then they could test the defending champs.
This has the potential to be another close series, and for the sake of basketball I really hope it is.
Game 1: Wednesday 9 May, 9am AEST
Season Series: Brooklyn 4-0
Prediction: Miami in 5
Indiana Pacers (1) versus Washington Wizards (5)
One of the big stories from the first round was the monumental struggles of the No. 1 seed Indiana Pacers. They were on the verge of being eliminated by a Hawks side that had no right to challenge them like they did, but somehow the Pacers dragged themselves into the second round.
The epic uselessness of defensive stalwart Roy Hibbert in the first six games was a story in itself, along with the chemistry issues that have plagued the Pacers since Christmas.
With Larry Bird sitting on the sidelines grimacing like he was passing a basketball-sized kidney stone, you have to wonder if they can return to the unstoppable team from the early months of the competition. Hibbert (if he gets his regular minutes) is not expected to guard Nene or Gortat beyond 20 feet from the basket, so that should help him stay on the floor ahead of Ian Mahimi.
John Wall will pose the same problems that Jeff Teague did, so that also needs to be addressed. Their biggest worry has to be the offence, more specifically the lack of movement of both ball and player. Too many plays broke down and involved a contested jump shot against a Hawks defence that was only ranked 16th in the regular season for points allowed per possession (the Wizards were ninth).
The Wizards are coming off a great series demolition of the Chicago Bulls and will have to be feeling pretty confident given the struggles of the Pacers. Their offence came to the party against the Bulls, even if John Wall struggled with his shot, and Bradley Beal emerged as a suitable back court partner for Wall. Nene almost embarrassed Joakim Noah with his strength and soft touch, and will have Hibbert in his sights.
This series will come down to whether the Pacers can rediscover the magic they once had, and if the Wizards can execute consistently despite their lack of playoff experience.
Game 1: Tuesday 6 May, 9am AEST
Season Series: Indiana 2-1
Prediction: Wizards in 7
Oklahoma City Thunder (2) versus Los Angeles Clippers (3)
Both teams will be on a high after Game 7 wins at home, but both series highlighted weaknessesin each team.
For Oklahoma City it was the lack of imagination in their offence, which is nothing new, and a lack of scoring depth on the wing. While the Clippers won’t have the defensive talents of Tony Allen to frustrate Kevin Durant, they will still cause concerns if the primary play breaks down as coach Scott Brooks doesn’t have a lot of secondary plays built in. (Read Grantland’s piece on Brooks shortcomings here.)
Durant will get more freedom in the open court than he had against Memphis, and if he gets going the lack of depth and proper play action could be a moot point. Westbrook just needs to be given a green light and the result could be similar to the Game 7 smack-down he put on the Grizzlies.
The series against the Warriors was a good test of the Clippers resolve after the highly publicised Donald Sterling incident and its subsequent fallout. They were nowhere near perfect in the series, and their main concern has to be their defence.
At times it was painful to watch as they missed rotations, committed silly fouls and left shooters wide open – a no-no against the Warriors. Facing the potential league MVP in Durant and the hyperactive Westbrook will be a big test. Doc Rivers will have his work cut out trying to get his team ready for what they will face with only one day’s rest.
On the plus side they have DeAndre Jordan leading the playoffs in rebounds (15.1), blocks (4.0) and field goal percentage (75.7), Chris Paul looks somewhat healthy, and they have a complement of guards that can all cause headaches for the Thunder defence.
This series could go either way, so settle down and enjoy the action.
Game 1: Tuesday 6 May, 11:30am AEST
Season Series: 2-2
Prediction: Thunder in 7
San Antonio Spurs (1) versus Portland Trailblazers (5)
The playoffs is the time the Spurs dust off their ageing veterans and oil them up for extended minutes on the way to challenging for another title. Facing the No. 8 seeded Dallas Mavericks was always going to be dangerous given the playing skills of Dirk Nowitski and Monta Ellis and the off-court talent of Rick Carlisle, but not many predicted a Game 7.
The Spurs proved why they were the No. 1 seed in hammering the Mavs yesterday, and while they were challenged to the very end they must take comfort in some of the potential match-ups they face against the Blazers.
Tony Parker will have a field day against Damien Lillard’s woeful defence and Tim Duncan should be able to get whatever he wants against either LaMarcus Aldridge or Robin Lopez. They have the coach, the experience, the talent and the depth to make winning a hard task for the Blazers.
Portland will still be feeling good after that sensational buzzer beater from Lillard in Game 7, but they have their work cut out for them. Aldridge may have had a historic first couple of games but his mid-range game will need to be on song all series if Portland are to seriously challenge the Spurs. They face a different defensive beast to the one the Rockets put on the court and the Spurs are so well drilled on both ends of the court that keeping up might be difficult.
Key factors for the Blazers will be getting enough scoring out of Lillard to counter his defensive shortcomings, and for their bench to at least provide a contest.
Game 1: Wednesday 7 May, 11:30am AEST
Season Series: Portland 2-1
Prediction: Spurs in 5
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