News » Hoops News

2012 NBA FINALS

By: Jeff Meadows

Folks the time has come, the time where NBA fans all across America become glued to their televisions, smart phones, ipads, laptop's, radios etc. to witness the NBA Finals. The 2012 NBA Finals will feature the two best teams in the league in the reining Eastern Conference Champs the MIAMI HEAT led by LeBron James and D'Wayne Wade proved throughout the season that once again, they are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference and representing the Western Conference are the "NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK" the very young but SUPER TALENTED OKC THUNDER who feature two YOUNG BUT EXTRAODINARY PLAYERS in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. With this being such an intriguing match-ups in recent memory the question becomes "WHO WILL BE CROWNED 2012 NBA WORLD CHAMPS"? Take a look at HoopsReport's EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF THE 2012 NBA FINALS, enjoy.

HOW THE HEAT GOT BACK TO THE PROMISE LAND

The MIAMI HEAT have been impressive in this and they've also been challenged in this year's Play-Offs as they defeated a talented NY KNICKS squad that featured All-Star (F's) Amarie Stadimire and Carmelo Anthony in a HIGHLY ANTICIPATED match-up that ended fairly quickly as the HEAT EXPOSSED the KNICKS in five. Next up was the INDIANA PACERS who just about gave the HEAT all the can handle as Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and Darren Collison fought to the bitter end only to fall short 4-3. Then came the EPIC BATTLE between FUTURE NBA HALL of FAMERS in Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and the rest of the BOSTON CELTICS vs LeBron James, D'Wayne Wade and the rest of the MIAMI HEAT. This series will go down in NBA history as one of the best Eastern Conference Finals and one of the game seven's of all-time and yes, the HEAT emerging as the KINGS OF THE EAST once again.

KEYS TO A HEAT VICTORY

Most critics will say "MIAMI needs someone other than LeBron and D'Wade to step up if they're going to win a title". The HEAT has proven that, "That theory just isn't true". In order for the HEAT to come away with the 2012 NBA Title LeBron and D'Wade MUST play big and lead the HEAT in EACH and EVERY GAME, not Chalmers and Bosh, not Anthony and Haslem, it MUST be LeBron and D'Wade. It would be an added luxury if Chris Bosh could step up and be that third wheel but LeBron and D'Wade can handle things if left no choice.

OKC'S ROAD TO THE NBA FINALS

With Kobe still effective but yet another year older and without a very good supporting cast, Portland Trailblazers dealing with massive injuries for the past three years and with the San Antonio Spurs being a little bit older but still effective, the OKC Thunder, a very young and very talented squad has now stepped up and staked their claim as the new representative of the Western Conference. The THUNDER began their journey to the NBA Finals by knocking off the defending World Champs DALLAS MAVERICKS in DOMINATING FASHION, sweeping the MAVS 4-0. In the second round, the THUNDER faced the ALMIGHTY L.A. LAKERS in the Western Conference semi finals and just like the MAVS, the LAKERS were DOMINATED as the THUNDER would go on to close out the series in five as they would go on to face the GATEKEEPERS OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE, the veteran San Antonio Spurs. In what looked as if the SPURS would eventually take care of the young THUNDER, THE TIDE TURNED EVER SO QUICKLY as kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Hardin and Serge Ibaka and the rest of the THUNDER raised their level of play and in game six the SPURS came out RED HOT as they would go into the half with an 18 point lead. In the second half the THUNDER woke up and began to take controlnd behind a breathtaking 34 point performance from All-NBA 6'11 (WG) Kevin Durant, the THUNDER not only cut the lead, they were able to pull out a 9 point, 92-83 victory in dramatic fashion which set the stage for this year's NBA Finals and the franchise's first trip to the NBA Finals.

OKC KEYS TO VICTORY

If OKC have any hopes of defeating the MIAMI HEAT they MUST have MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS from their SUPPORTING CAST IN ALL ASPECTS, REBOUNDING, DEFENSE, ASSIST, LOOSE BALLS, ETC. NOT JUST SCORING. James Harding, the NBA's 6th Man of the Year, must continue his amazing play and Surge Ibaka, NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, MUST continue his shot blocking assault and rebounding. (PF) Kendrick Perkins will also play a big role in the THUNDER'S success because as we all know, the team that wins the rebounding war, wins the series.

MIAMI HEAT & OKC THUNDER'S PLAY-OFF STATS/FACTS

MIAMI HEAT regular season record was 46-20 while the OKC THUNDER went 47-19 (advantage THUNDER). The MIAMI HEAT averaged 98.5 points per outing and the THUNDER averaged 103.1 (advantage THUNDER). The MIAMI HEAT allowed opponents to score 92.5 points a game and the THUNDER allowed opponents to score 96.9 points per outing (advantage HEAT). The MIAMI HEAT'S home record is 28-5 while the THUNDER'S home record is 26-7 (advantage HEAT). The MIAMI HEAT'S road record is 18-15 while the THUNDER'S road record is 21-12 (advantage THUNDER).

MIAMI HEAT/OKC THUNDER STAT LEADERS

Point leaders

MIAMI (LeBron James 30.8)

OKC (Kevin Durant 27.8)

Rebound leaders

MIAMI (LeBron James 9.6)

OKC (Kevin Durant 7.9)

Assist leaders

MIAMI (LeBron James 5.1)

OKC (Russell Westbrook 5.6)

Steals leaders

MIAMI (LeBron James 1.9)

OKC (Russell Westbrook 1.7)

Blocks leaders

MIAMI (D'wayne Wade 1.3)

OKC (Surge Ibaka 3.3)

HOOPSREPORT'S PREDICTIONS

This series will go down to the wire and LeBron James and MIAMI HEAT. The experience of the MIAMI HEAT will prove to be too much for the "YOUNG GUNS" AKA: OKC THUNDER who are more than capable of defeating the MIAMI HEAT but not this year.

Stay logged on to HoopsReport for our EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE of the 2012 NBA FINALS.

POSTED: 6-10-2012

[ RETURN ]