Game 3 is set to tip off tonight in Miami, where either the Heat or the Oklahoma City Thunder will have a 2-1 lead before the night ends.
The Miami Heat have been able to get out to an early lead in both games. Game 2 finished in dramatic fashion, but the Thunder could have pulled out the victory had they not allowed the Heat to dominate the first quarter.
In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder got their bigs involved early. Serge Ibaka finished with 26 points and Kendrick Perkins had a playoff high, 15 points.
The Thunder have yet to fully take advantage of the power they possess down low. They had the same advantage against the San Antonio Spurs, but did not put it to use until Game 4.
Chris Bosh is the tallest player on the floor, but Ibaka and Perkins are the strongest.
Just picture one of these two guys posting up in the paint. If they start out hot then they will attract help on the double team.
This will leave either Thabo Sefolosha, Durant or Westbrook open on the perimeter.
Preferably, they would have Perkins posting and Ibaka on the outside, since Ibaka has been knocking down the 17-foot jumpers during the playoffs.
This will create problems for the Heat's defense as they will have to choose whether to let the big men beat Bosh down low or helping and risk leaving sharp shooters open on the outside.
The return of Bosh has sparked the Heat on both ends of the floor. They have been able to get him open and he has knocked down bigshots from the outside.
Miami will be backed up by the home crowd in this one. The Thunder cannot afford to continue giving up big leads early in the game.
They have to slow down the game and try getting to the paint early in the game.
They have been able to come back in the last two ball games, but the Heat crowd will not be cheering for them if they fall behind by a big margin.
A Heat crowd that might have the Thunder's worst foe, Lil Wayne.
Tip off is set for 8PM EDT.
