The Finals are set to take off on Tuesday in Oklahoma City where the Thunder will face the Miami Heat for the NBA championship. Both teams have star studded lineups and can score points in a matter of seconds. Winning in basketball takes a team effort, but personal matchups will be vital.
Let's now compare the Heat and Thunder lineups by position.
Guards: Russell Westbrook vs. Mario Chalmers
Both players possess speed and agility, as well as a good shot from the outside. Chalmers has better range from three and is not afraid to take big shots. Westbrook is prone to turnovers and, at times, loses his focus. When at his best, he penetrates the defense and gets easy baskets.
In order to be a factor, Chalmers will have to be consistent from beyond the arc. Westbrook will have to make smart decisions when he has the ball.
Guards: Thabo Sefolosha vs Dwyane Wade
When looking at this matchup you would automatically expect Wade to have the clear advantage. He already has a ring and has won a vast array of awards and honors in his nine year career.
Sefolosha, however, can prevent Wade from getting to the basket easily. He can play great defense and create turnovers for the Thunder.
Wade is the more experienced player and possesses more talent. He will have to bring his game every day if he does not want to be embarrassed by Sefolosha.
Forwards: Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James
Chances are that the Finals' MVP will be either Durant or James. Durant was the NBA's scoring champ, while James was the MVP. Both played well down the stretch as their teams needed big games from both of them.
James hold the advantage in strength as Durant has barely gained any body fat, let alone muscle, since joining the league. Next to LeBron he will look like a stick figure, but look for the lanky forward to have big scoring nights.
Forwards- Serge Ibaka vs. Shane Battier
The battle of the defensive gurus. Ibaka was the leading blocker in the NBA. Battier is always assigned a team's best scorer.
Ibaka has shown he can hit the mid-range jump shot. He scored as many as 26 points in Game 4 against the Spur going 11-11 from the floor. Battier has made clutch threes for the Heat when open.
Even though the teams want these players to be their best on defense, their offensive production will tip the scale one way or the other.
Center: Kendrick Perkins vs. Chris Bosh
Bosh has made big contributions for the Heat off the bench. He lit up the Boston Celtics from three in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Perkins is not an offensive producer. His role will be preventing the Heat from getting easy points in the paint. Perkins' large body should be used for clogging up the paint.
If there is a switch, Ibaka can cover Bosh on the outside, since Bosh has more speed. Perkins has to stay down low at all times in order to be a factor in this game.
Bench: James Harden vs. Udonis Haslem
Harden will be the key for the Thunder in this series. He can outscore anybody in the Heat bench. Harden proved he can carry the team when he is on, giving the Thunder a clear advantage in bench production.
Haslem has a killer jump shot, very similar to the one Ibaka has from mid-range. Haslem's job will be to grab boards.
He silently grabbed double-digit rebounds in three of the seven games against Boston. He has averaged seven rebounds a game in the playoffs. The Thunder will have to keep a close eye on Haslem and keep him away from the boards.
Both teams have some of the most talented and young superstars in the NBA. These great personal battles will make the NBA Finals a spectacle.
