The Long Way Around


Prior to the start of the NBA playoffs, I predicted the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs would meet in the NBA finals. After a wild, unpredictable couple of rounds, it appears that is the matchup we are going to get.

A month ago, it might not have seemed that way. Sure, the Heat cruised to a first round victory, but everyone else stumbled a bit. The Spurs needed seven games to shake free of the Dallas Mavericks, and the Indiana Pacers — the top seed in the East and presumed challenger to the Heat — almost didn't survive a first round matchup with sub .500 Atlanta.

But for a first round that, at times, looked to have a lot of excitement, the teams that were supposed to win prevailed in the end. The Clippers overcame off-court scandal in the front office to advance, the Thunder overcame the upstart Memphis Grizzlies, and the Pacers were able to slide past the Hawks.

In the second round, the top contenders held serve. The Thunder dispatched the Clippers, while the Spurs made easy work of the Portland Trailblazers. In the East, the Pacers looked more like a top seed as they slide past the Wizards, while the Heat handled the Brooklyn Nets.

Now, in the conference finals, it appears things are going as predicted as well. While the Thunder could still pose a threat to knock out the Spurs, it seems unlikely. In the East, up 3-1, the Heat look like a lock to advance to their fourth straight NBA Finals, and contend for a third straight title.

After a wild regular season, and a fun start to the playoffs, things in the NBA are looking awfully familiar as we head toward the championship round.

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