The Miami Heat are battling with the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs are already through to the NBA Finals and one trade that was made between two of the teams has had a huge impact on the NBA playoffs thus far and could continue into the next round.
The Spurs just finished a four game sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies and Kawhi Leonard proved to be another important piece for the team, giving efficient minutes and hard play as he is averaging over 13 points in the playoffs in 14 games. He has been in double-digit scoring for every game against the Grizzlies apart from one and he has scored at least 11 in the past five games, including 18 in Game 1 against the Grizzlies. He has had two double-doubles in the past five games and he will be a piece that the Spurs rely on in the finals if they play the Heat or the Pacers.
Leonard made his presence felt once again in Game 2 last Tuesday, scoring 12 points and adding nine rebounds and he also have been a defensive force for the team, playing 40 minutes and at the time shooting over 50 percent from the field in the playoffs. He has been in double digits in scoring for every game apart from two that the Spurs have played and he had 11 rebounds in the big Game 3 against Memphis. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have been excellent for the Spurs, but without the play of Leonard, the team may not be through to the finals.
The other side of the trade sent Hill to the Pacers and he has been a solid player for the team, including in this series against the Heat, although he was the one guarding LeBron James when he made the drive to win the game at the end of Game 1. Hill is averaging over 15 points in the playoffs and he was big at the end of Game 2 when he hit four free throws at the end of the game to hang on to the win and he ended up with Leonard 18 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Hill played 41 minutes in Game 2 against the Heat and so far he has scored in double digits in three of the four games, including 19 in the Game 3 loss.
The Spurs and Pacers both benefitted from the trade and now there is a chance that the two will face off if the Pacers can rally against the Heat and win the East finals.