By BILL HAISTEN Sports Writer on Jun 14, 2012, at 1:16 PM Updated on 6/14 at 1:16 PM
OKC THUNDER
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OKLAHOMA CITY – If the Thunder prevails tonight in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, I don’t expect another game to be played at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
If Oklahoma City takes the momentum of a 2-0 series advantage to Miami, the Thunder would get three shots in Florida to win twice and capture the NBA title. For the most basic of reasons, the prediction here is that OKC wins tonight and finishes the Heat next week at American Airlines Arena.
The physics of this match-up are not going to change:
* Tonight and beyond, Kevin Durant will still be 6-foot-9 dilemma for any Heat defender. If LeBron James is the world’s best player, Durant is the world’s best scorer and the king of critical fourth-quarter conversions. It still astounds me, however, that OKC doesn’t use Durant more frequently in post-up situations. With his release point being so high, Durant is a match-up nightmare for most defenders.
* When Miami’s Dwyane Wade possesses the basketball, he’ll be challenged at times by OKC’s Russell Westbrook (perhaps the NBA’s best athlete) and Thabo Sefolosha (one of the world’s best defensive players). Since getting fluid drained from his sore left knee on May 21, Wade has played in 11 games. He hasn’t been given time to heal. As a complement to James, Miami needs a 30-point Wade and not a 19-point Wade. Can the 30-year-old Wade be a 30-point man while playing on one good knee and while dueling with Westbrook and Sefolosha?
* Oklahoma City has a speed gear that was the difference in Western Conference conquests of Dallas, the Lakers and San Antonio. There were signs on Tuesday, during Game 1 of the Finals, that the Thunder’s acceleration – both in defensive intensity and transition – is a problem also for the Heat.
In NBA Finals history, only three teams – the 1968 Boston Celtics, the 1977 Portland Trail Blazers and the 2006 Heat – were champions after overcoming a 2-0 deficit. If Oklahoma City wins tonight, Miami -- especially with a diminished Wade -- doesn't seem qualified to join that Comeback Club.
The Thunder recorded four consecutive victories over the previously red-hot Spurs, and followed with a Game 1 victory over the Heat. I don't see any evidence that OKC is about to falter.
-- Bill Haisten
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