NBA Conference Final Preview and Predictions

2) Miami Heat v.s. 4) Boston Celtics

Rajon Rondo is the x-factor in this series and the Heat must
find an answer to him in order to win

     They meet once again. The Heat bounced the Celtics from the playoffs last year in five games, but this year, it has been a different story with the Celtics taking three out of the four meetings this year. Now, the Heat do not have Chris Bosh and they will rely heavily on Dwyane Wade and LeBron James (duh). The Celtics were moderately tested by the Atlanta Hawks and then seriously tested by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat are a whole different animal than those two teams. Take Avery Bradley out of the equation and the Celtics look to be in serious trouble. But here is why the Celtics will win this series. For one, the Celtics owned the last two matchups of the regular season and that was with Chris Bosh in the lineup for the Heat and that was with a limited Ray Allen. Also, the Celtics didn't necessarily shut down both Lebron James and Dwyane Wade, but they did limit at least one of them in those games. I understand Avery Bradley was very much active in those games, but I still believe the Celtics will get enough defense to limit Dwyane Wade and LeBron James. The Heat will be unable to find help from their bench or Chris Bosh if he is able to return and the Heat will have no answer inside for Kevin Garnett and on the perimeter to Rajon Rondo. The Celtics pull a huge upset and move on to the NBA Finals. 

Game 1- Miami 85-79

Game 2- Boston 93-91 

Game 3- Boston 107-102

Game 4- Boston 99-91

Game 5- Miami 111-87

Game 6- Boston 98-94 OT

Boston Celtics in Six

1) San Antonio Spurs v.s. 2) Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant takes over to send the Thunder to
the Finals

     What a series we have here, the Spurs and Thunder have both looked extremely impressive this postseason. While the Spurs are an outstanding basketball team, the Thunder are more explosive and more athletic. I hate to say it, but I can't see the Spurs being able to consistently put up enough points to hang with the Thunder. The Spurs and Thunder are equally deep, but the difference will be Kevin Durant as he takes that next step and elevates his game allowing the Thunder to advance to their first NBA Finals. 

Game 1- Oklahoma City 104-97

Game 2- San Antonio 90-81

Game 3- Oklahoma City 95-92

Game 4- San Antonio 103-82 

Game 5- Oklahoma City 126-123 2OT

Game 6- Oklahoma City 97-89

Oklahoma City Thunder in Six Games 

And why not throw in my finals prediction while I'm at it.

Oklahoma City Thunder over Boston Celtics in Four Games

      The time runs out on the Celtics. After a long, hard fought series against the Heat, they just can't match the same intensity and athleticism as the Thunder. Russell Westbrook slows down Rajon Rondo, Kevin Durant has another stellar performance and Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins haunt the Celtics in the post allowing the Thunder to ease past the Celtics to win the title. 

Game 1- Oklahoma City 93-83

Game 2- Oklahoma City 111-105 2OT

Game 3- Oklahoma City 107-104 OT

Game 4- Oklahoma City 103-91