2011 NBA Playoffs - Conference Finals

It has been somewhat of a strange Playoffs thus far. It all started with the Grizzlies becoming just the fourth 8-seed to defeat a 1-seed. It continued in the Semis, as the Grizz took Oklahoma City to the brink of elimination and almost became the second 8-seed to move into the Conference Finals.  Aside from that, mine and many other's favorites to reach the NBA Finals were both ousted in the Semis. No Celtics and no Lakers means that someone other than those two will with the title for the first time since 2007. Miami has got to be the favorite now. There is still plenty of basketball to be played. Here is how I see the Conference Finals shaking up, with a breakdown of who holds the advantage in some positional matchups.

Eastern Conference Finals

1 Chicago (+160) vs. 2 Miami (-200)

How they got here:

Chicago beat - Indiana 4-1, Atlanta 4-2
Miami beat - Philadelphia 4-1, Boston 4-1

PG - Derrick Rose vs. Mike Bibby
SG - Keith Bogans vs. Dwayne Wade
SF - Luol Deng vs. LeBron James
PF - Carlos Boozer vs. Chris Bosh
C - Joakim Noah vs. Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Bench - Chicago vs. Miami
Coach - Tom Thibodeau vs. Erik Spoelstra

Miami has been more impressive in the Playoffs than Chicago without a doubt. I guess that's why the oddsmakers have pegged them as the favorites. The Bulls must find a way to make players outside of Miami's Big 3 beat them. James, Wade, and at times Bosh will no doubt get theirs - but if they combine for 8- points amongst them - the Heat will march on. For Chicago, Derrick Rose is going to have to be ultra-aggressive and shoot plenty of free throws, while getting strong interior play from Boozer and Noah. Ultimately, I believe that Miami has too much going int heir favor right now and will win a tough 7-game series.

Prediction - Miami over Chicago 4-3

Western Conference Finals

3 Dallas (-200) vs. 4 Oklahoma City (+160)

How they got here:

Dallas beat - Portland 4-2, LA Lakers 4-0
Oklahoma City beat - Denver 4-1, Memphis 4-3

PG - Jason Kidd vs. Russell Westbrook
SG - DeShawn Stevenson vs. Thabo Sefolosha
SF - Shawn Marion vs. Kevin Durant
PF - Dirk Nowitzki vs. Serge Ibaka
C - Tyson Chandler vs. Kendrick Perkins
Bench - Dallas vs. Oklahoma City
Coach - Rick Carlisle vs. Scott Brooks

The Mavs certainly proved that they are a team to be reckoned with, by completely dismantling the 2-time defending champion Lakers. Now with the top 2 seeds eliminated, they will square off with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the crown out west. Dallas has had plenty of time to rest up for this series, having played last a week ago. The Thunder will have a quick turnaround as they are coming off a 7-game series with Memphis. Westbrook and Durant will need to be huge for OKC to make the city's debut in the Finals. From top to bottom the Mavs have too much and will have a 5-year reunion with the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

Prediction - Dallas over Oklahoma City 4-2