2. Miami Heat vs. 1. Chicago Bulls

Record wise they were the two best teams in the East this year.  Others would argue that they are the two best teams left in the playoffs.  That might be true, but only one can represent the East in the Finals.  Miami is riding both LeBron James and Dwayne Wade throughout these playoffs.  If either one has an off series, the Heat will be doomed to the exits.  Chris Bosh has to play better.  He seemed frazzled when Miami played in Boston and admitted as much after Game 3.  However, he recovered nicely and the Heat didn’t miss a beat winning in 5 games.  If that happens again at any point going forward the Heat won’t put up much of a fight.  They will continue to need contributions from James Jones, Joel Anthony and Mario Chalmers off the bench as well to clinch the East.

Chicago can’t expect Derrick Rose to continue to do it all by himself.  Chicago needs Carlos Boozer to average near 20 points a game for them to beat Miami.  If he continues at his current pace the Bulls will struggle to keep pace with the fast paced Heat.  Luol Deng will need to be more consistent on the offensive end.  The Bulls have a lot of players they can throw at LeBron and Wade, but none will be able to stop them every night.  If the Bulls bench players, Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson and Ronnie Brewer can outscore the Heat’s bench players the Bulls will make this a good series.  Rose will get his points, but he needs help now more than ever.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 3 Dallas Mavericks 

The Mavericks shocked a lot of people by sweeping the defending champion Lakers out of the playoffs in the semifinals.  Oklahoma had to beat the 8th seeded Grizzlies in 7 games.  Opposite endings for both, but going head-to-head should have a different outcome.  Oklahoma has a big advantage with Westbrook and Durant.  Two dynamic players at their respective positions that Dallas can’t match up with one on one.  There is plenty of depth on the Mavericks squad, but they will need to rely on Tyson Chandler and Brendan Haywood to disrupt their paths to the basket.  Dallas does have Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry who were shooting the ball with ease against the Lakers.  Oklahoma doesn’t have the ideal players to guard either one.  Dallas will need them both to be on their game to clinch another West title.  If J.J. Barea can attack the paint at will again against the Thunder the Mavericks will have a big advantage against either East opponent as well.

Which Russell Westbrook will be more involved?  The offensive catalyst who creates havoc in the paint and dishes the ball to open teammates.  Or the one who will take bad shots at key moments in the game.  If the latter shows up for the Thunder they will be watching the Finals at home this year.  If Westbrook can consistently attack the basket, he will make things easier for Kevin Durant and James Harden getting open shots.  Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins were after thoughts against Memphis, but with a favorable matchup for them in Dallas they should become more active on both ends of the court.  Oklahoma is one of the youngest teams in the NBA, but they are quickly growing before our eyes.  For their sake lets hope they won’t go out like the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2007.

Thunder in 6 games