NBA Conference Finals Preview
The Conference Finals are upon us. And while many are calling this a Bubble Rematch, the constructions of the rosters involved are telling a different story. Lead Sports Editor Will Lyons takes a look at the Eastern and Western Conference matchups.
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat
Boston Outlook: The Boston Celtics are looking to make a second straight trip to the NBA Finals. Led by the talented duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they are hoping to ruin the Miami Heat’s underdog story.
Boston is fresh off a dominant game 7 performance where they sent the Philadelphia 76ers to an all expenses paid vacation. Jayson Tatum heard the critics talking about him going ghost on his team and answered the call with a 51-point closeout performance. Add in impact players in the consistent wing threat, Jaylen Brown, and defensive savants, Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III, you have a well-built roster that could cause some issues.
X-factor: Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon
Miami Outlook: The Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler led Miami Heat are a gritty team that defends and finds ways to exceed expectations. Jimmy Butler’s approach is all over this team, as they never quit until the final buzzer sounds. The two-way star is a floor raiser that has the Heat in the conference finals in spite of an injured Tyler Herro. Credit to Duncan Robinson for finding his shooting stroke and for All-Star Center Bam Adebayo for taking the next step. Bam’s evolution on the offensive side of the floor has provided a second two-way anchor that Miami can depend on against the talented post players of the league.
X-factor: Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry
Denver Nuggets vs LA Lakers
Overview: A match-up that boasts a combined 6 MVPs and multiple All-NBA appearances. Former league MVP LeBron James and All-NBA performer Anthony Davis take on two-time MVP Nikola Jokic in a battle for the Western Conference.
Los Angeles Outlook: The Lakers were looking like a team that might not even sniff the playoffs a few months ago due to bad roster construction, coaching shortcomings, and injuries. GM Rob Pelinka executed one of the greater trade deadline performances in recent history completely changing the team’s trajectory. The acquisitions of Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley and D’angelo Russell seamlessly fit with the play-styles of LeBron and AD — propelling the team to the conference finals. The Lakers future rests on which version of star big man, Anthony Davis, shows up.
X-Factor: Austin Reeves and Jarred Vanderbilt
Denver Outlook: The Nuggets find themselves in the Conference Finals for the second time in four seasons. Superstar center and walking triple double Nikola Jokic is looking to make his first trip to the finals. His supporting cast led by guard Jamal Murray, versatile forward Aaron Gordon, and the talented Michael Porter Jr., rolled the offensive duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in a dominant closeout performance. The Lakers defense has been dominant, but the Joker is on a different type of time this postseason.
X-Factor: Kentavious-Caldwell Pope and Bruce Brown
Conclusion: This is a bittersweet time for hoops fans as the end of the post-season is quickly approaching. The bright side is that there is some high level basketball left to be played in these remaining rounds. The elder statesman, LeBron James, is chasing his eleventh Finals appearance and fifth championship. The Celtics and Heat look to make it back to the finals with intentions on bringing home the trophy this go round. And the Nuggets look to land Nikola Jokic one of the few trophies that has eluded him to this point in his career.
