2014 Playoffs: (1) Indiana vs. (2) Miami

[Lamrock]

After an unpredictable first round, it looks like the top two seeds in each conference are bound for the conference finals... The Pacers have played very well on the road but have disappointed at home, undermining the importance of homecourt advantage. They do match up with the Heat well but... Heat in 6.

[_Steve_]

Pacers in 7. Their bigs will cause trouble for the Heat, a team that looked more sluggish/older than a year before.
Only chance for the Heat would be a healthy Oden playing 20+ minutes...

[Kevin]

Pacers' bigs will cause trouble for Miami? Hmmm

[shadowgrin]

Heat will miss Joel Anthony. Pacers in 6.

[Andrew]

I'll go with the Heat in seven, though it wouldn't shock me if it ended sooner. Earlier in the year, I'd have likely picked the Pacers to come out on top, especially with homecourt advantage, but given their play over the last couple of weeks of the regular season and the postseason so far, it seems unlikely. I'll admit that I'd love to see them topple the Heat, but Miami are the two time defending champions for a reason: they're that damn good.

[Kevin]

they're that damn good.

You mean HE is that good.

I think this will depend on how Hibbert plays. As some say, Hibbert is the "Heat Killer" so he really needs to step up for them to win this series imo.

[NovU]

You guys haven't learned yet? You doubt Heat, you lose, big. The Heat sweeps. But I will give the Pacers benefit of doubt, Heat in 5.

[_Steve_]

Pacers' bigs will cause trouble for Miami? Hmmm

Depends pretty much which version of Roy Hibbert were going to see...

[Andrew]

You mean HE is that good.

To be fair to the rest of the team, there's a lot of talent there as well...when they show up. Still, having that one player in particular is indeed a huge advantage.

[Mandich]

Heat in 6.

Still, having that one player in particular is indeed a huge advantage.

Joel Anthony ain't there anymore. If he was, sweep'em.

[NovU]

I don't mean to be cocky but I will speak up. mandich's the only one keeping it real here, slightly.

And we've had another wise man speak up the other day. The name's Sauru. The season's over, guys. When will you people realize it?

[JaoSming]

Pacers in 6 because reasons

[Alpha_]

Heat in 6.

[YaoKnowWhat_I_Ming]

Pacers in a rough 7.

[Kevin]

I wanted to vote for Oden domination Hibbert but screw it, Pacers in 6

[Patr1ck]

Heat in 5. Pacers will have a big win early, but will never recover from a Heat blowout.

[Alpha_]

Joel Anthony ain't there anymore. If he was, sweep'em.

[Sauru]

heat in 5. i figure the pacers can get their shit together for 1 game

[NovU]

heat in 5. i figure the pacers can get their shit together for 1 game

This man knows his basketball.

[Alpha_]

heat in 5. i figure the pacers can get their shit together for 1 game

[Mandich]

I can't understand how great defensive teams like Indy and Miami let so many open corner three pointers.

Paul George really loves that behind the back dribble.

[NovU]

Remind me not to listen to Sauru next time. The man's a false prophet.

[bowdown]

Yeah what happened with Oden? I wanted to see him play in the playoffs against Pacers

[NovU]

I hear best scenario for Oden is playing a few minutes in this series as a secret weapon. Gahhhhhhh.

“I’m over all of that,” Greg told me. “I know I’m one of the biggest busts in NBA history and I know that it’ll only get worse as Kevin Durant continues doing big things … It’s frustrating that my body can’t do what my mind wants it to do sometimes. But worrying or complaining about it isn’t going to fix anything … I wish the circumstances would let me play more, but I certainly don’t regret coming back, and I don’t regret signing with the Heat.”

[bowdown]

Ugh well sucks. BTW Oden vs Durant in the finals would have been cool.