The Giants: The Eastern Conference Finals Preview

Indiana Pacers (1) vs. Miami Heat (2)

Top Performers: 
Paul George (IND): 19.7ppg, 6.3apg, 2.8apg (vs. WAS)
Lebron James (MIA): 30.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 3.6apg (vs. BKN)

The Pacers In: 
[vs.WAS]
89.0 points scored
86.8 points against

It was about time that the public got too used with how the Pacers played sloppily even after the first round, and expectations were quite lowered. However, it seems that Frank Vogel has quite figured it out by Game 3 of the team's playoff series against the Wizards. Indeed, Game 5 counted as a disappointment, but the Pacers were able to put the finishing touches on the semifinals quite impressively. Now, after 13 games trying to figure things out, they finally meet the team that they are built against, which, since day one of this season they have been waiting for. And it's up to Paul George and Roy Hibbert, who surprisingly performed well against Washington, to fulfill their destiny.

The Heat In:
[vs. BKN]
97.8 points scored
92.4 points against

For the Heat, the semifinals weren't the perfect series that they expected. They scored considerably low than before, indicating that at one point or another they feared that the Nets might take them out of their game. This might not be the case, however, for Lebron James, who just continued his rampage in the playoffs. But more than that, credit goes to playoff veterans Ray Allen and, yes, Chris Bosh, for hitting the shots that mattered the most. It seems that the end is near for Miami, and the celebration can continue in South Beach, but what the Heat need to do as a team is to overcome the last great challenge that lie ahead of them in the East, a Pacers team that can run them down to the ground, and this is not the same script that ran last season.

What could be: With the way Indiana's playing lately, it seems that a fourth straight Finals appearance for Miami is about to happen. Heat in seven.

The Clash: The Western Conference Finals Preview

The Playoffs in the West Coast is down to the two best teams, with one displaying efficiency and the other showing skill.

San Antonio Spurs (1) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (2)

Top Performers: 
Tony Parker (SAS): 18.4ppg, 5.2apg, .429 3P%(vs. POR)
Kevin Durant (OKC): 33.2ppg, 9.5rpg, 5.3apg (vs. LAC)

The Spurs In: 
[vs.POR]
108.8 points scored
74.8 points against

In five games, the Spurs have already released a statement that did not sound so obvious in the first round: the inexperienced have no place in the NBA playoffs. The Blazers entered the second round white hot, with Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge riding the waves. The Spurs, however, were unmoved, and doused cold water upon them in more ways than one: they protected Aldridge's midrange territory, matched up against Portland's role players (Wesley Matthews and Nic Batum most especially), and schooled, through Tony Parker, Lillard in offense. Once again, the Spurs defied the challenges of Father Time, and are now ready to face their biggest challenge: a healthy Thunder team that can run like crazy. In the end, it's a question of who can set the pace.

The Thunder In:
[vs. LAC]
107.2 points scored
106.3 points against

You can't blame Kevin Durant for ruining Doc Rivers' first year as the Clippers coach. While the Clippers were fully armed with Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Jordan, they do not have any wingman to properly guard Durant and prevent him from hitting thirty in every game. Add to that the fact that Russell Westbrook has outwitted all of Los Angeles' Guards, who couldn't put themselves together again. This time, they are going to enter the Western Conference Finals with Westbrook and an awful game 5 decision at their backs. And perhaps it's not a question of putting themselves together but making it work against a more experienced team whom Coach Scott Brooks know have tricks hidden in their black and silver sleeves. In other words, more is expected from Durant not merely as a scorer but a leader of a competitive team.

What could be: It's the promise of gaining their first ever crown that might lead the Thunder out of an experienced Spurs Team. OKC in seven.

Gaining Momentum: The Eastern Conference Semifinals Preview

Indiana Pacers (1) vs. Washington Wizards (5)
Quarterfinals Top Performers:
Paul George (IND): 23.1ppg, 10.1rpg, 4.6apg (in 8 playoff games)
John Wall (WAS): 17.8ppg, 7.0apg, 2.0spg (in 6 playoff games)

The Pacers In: It's quite a miracle that the Indiana Hawks have survived a resilient Atlanta Hawks team that has nothing on the Pacers except their midrange big men (against which all-star center Roy Hibbert are ineffective against). Coach Frank Vogel owes a lot to Paul George for willing the whole team back into competitive mode following a 3-2 series lead by the Hawks. Now that they are facing another team that perhaps delivers a stronger firepower than the Hawks, the question heading into the second round is how they are going to make adjustments that will guarantee them the win. Perhaps that includes providing a different role for Lance Stephenson and giving way for other bigs such as David West and Luis Scola on the defensive end.

The Wizards In: John Wall and Bradley Beal have already proven their point, and now they can stroll around saying that they are playoff winners in their first appearance ever. For these two, nothing has changed, for they just played their roles quite well during their stretch against the Chicago Bulls. The real surprise comes with frontcourt members Nene and Marcin Gortat, who took their offense on the outside while sealing the paint on the D. They keep this up, and they are headed for another upset.

What could be: If Indiana gets their momentum back, then Washington ought to be afraid of what a number one team can do. Pacers in 6.
[as of press time, the Wizards took Game 1 of the series with a 102-96 win]

Miami Heat (2) vs. Brooklyn Nets (6)
Quarterfinals Top Performers
LeBron James (MIA): 30.0ppg, 8.0rpg, 11.0ftapg
Paul Pierce (BKN): 13.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 0.465fg%

The Heat In: Technically, the Heat got a free pass into the semifinals. The Charlotte Bobcats, in their last season, had most of their players entering the playoffs for the first time, had their best player at forty percent and hobbling, and as a consequence blew three out of their four playoff games. What Coach Erik Spoelstra has to be concerned with is how Miami can get back into their championship groove, without taking the next opponent lightly, and he can start motivating by displaying LeBron as an example.

The Nets In: One big psychological advantage that the Nets have over the Heat is the fact that they swept all their regular season games against the Heat. This is not a big thing, but it presents a real possibility that they can take the series. But more than just that, their actual advantage comes in the Boston migrants, specifically Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. All the while, these two provided the veteran support needed to keep the Nets afloat, leaving space for Joe Johnson and Deron Williams to do what they're used to. In fact, one can say that with the way the Nets are brightly decorated with stars as the Miami Heat, they really can pull off an upset. It's just a matter of timing and execution.

What could be: Brooklyn might have all the weapons, but Miami still has the time and experience to go back to their playoff ways just in case they have lagged behind. Heat in 7.

No Excuses: The 2014 Western Conference Semifinals Preview

Four teams out, and another four to compete after a tiring first round series. Who's going to survive and who's going home?

San Antonio Spurs (1) vs. Portland Trailblazers (5)

Quarterfinals top performers:
Tim Duncan (SAS): 17.3ppg, 8.4rpg, 1.9bpg
LaMarcus Aldridge (POR): 26.1ppg, 9.8rpg, 2.3bpg

The Spurs In: Just when everyone predicted that the slightly younger Mavericks team--composed of Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, and newcomer Monta Ellis--can steal the show against the 2013 first runners-up, the "old" Spurs went on a rampage. They left Dallas with a major frustration over Game 6, thanks to Ellis' last minute heroics, and channeled all of the bad vibes on Game 7 with humongous runs that left the Mavs astounded. As they enter the next round of the playoffs, they have one thing that the present Blazers do not have: experience, not to mention that age won't be a big problem considering that there are longer gaps in between. For this series, expect the Spurs to do the same: dump the ball to Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan, and trust that the role players--Kawhi Leonard, Marco Bellinelli, and Boris Diaw among others--can contribute in more ways than one, especially filling in during dire situations.

The Blazers In: There's nothing sweeter than concluding a 14-year hiatus from the second round with a superb last minute shot by Big Game Dame. However, the one who really sent the Rockets home packing after the first round was LaMarcus Aldridge, who went out in all six games with guns firing from the high post. He executed his fade aways and elbow jumpers to perfection, rendering the defense of Dwight Howard and Omer Asik useless in almost the Blazers' games against the Rockets. But with Duncan defending him, it might be nigh time for Damian Lillard to contribute more on both ends (especially on defense!), as well as Nic Batum to step up and revive his inside game. Unless these things happen, things are going to be difficult for Rip City.

What Could Be: Things are exciting for Rip City in the coming days, but don't expect Tim Duncan and his team would allow it to last long. Spurs in 6.

Oklahoma City Thunder (2) vs. L.A. Clippers (3)
Quarterfinals top performers:
Kevin Durant (OKC): 29.9ppg, 9.6rpg, 3.4apg
Blake Griffin (LAC): 23.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.6apg

The Thunder In: If there is anything we learned in the past two weeks, it's the fact that the Grizzlies exposed and exploited the Thunder's weaknesses. Tony Allen properly checked and limited Kevin Durant in all those wins by the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies defense forced Russell Westbrook to take over the game, forcing him to run the offense on his own terms. Zach Randolph showed how ineffective Kendrick Perkins really is. And at the end, the Thunder have nothing but Serge Ibaka and Reggie Jackson, who were both inconsistent in the series, as well as Caron Butler and Derek Fisher, who were reliable guys had they been ten years younger. In fact, the Thunder were fortunate enough that Memphis lost Randolph in the final game, showing how they can dominate when one of the shackles were put loose. This was Memphis, and the Clippers play a different kind of game, relying not on defensive prowess but their ability to run their offense quickly, and this is precisely the perfect match up for Scott Brooks' design.

The Clippers In: Fans of the NBA should be thankful that the Clippers survived the white-hot shooting of Stephen Curry in all those seven games, for this allows them to see a very exciting semifinal matchup. Despite the Donald Sterling scandal, the Clips (save Chris Paul, who was at the most 50 percent effective minus the flopping) have been doing well: Blake Griffin showed how much he improved, DeAndre Jordan making his FTs for every Hack-A-DJ, Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes doing much of the point job in Paul's absence, and JJ Redick hitting threes like he was in Orlando. If they keep this up, everyone will be led to believe that they can actually beat a team with 2 of the best scorers in the league. Legitimately.

What Could Be: As far as we know, Kevin Durant gets better and better as the Thunder go deep into the playoffs, and he can be at a point where no one can stop him, not even an improved Blake Griffin. Thunder in 7.