Seven reasons why the Miami Heat will win the NBA Championship – Part 1
The Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks are all set to meet in a best-of-seven series in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals, starting from Tuesday. This is the second NBA finals appearance for both teams. The two
elites took on each other in 2006 Finals as well, which were won by the Heat 4-2.
Although the Mavs beat the Heat 2-0 during the regular season series, Miami will hold the all important home court advantage in the Finals, because of their higher seed. Miami finished the season as the second best team from East
while the Mavericks finished at third in the Western Conference.
Miami Heat has had a tough path through to the NBA Finals. First up, they took on the Philadelphia 76ers and after some close games, took the first round series 4-1. Miami then defeated the big boys of the East, the Boston Celtics,
in the semi-final series with the same margin and set a date with the regular season best Chicago Bulls. In the highly physical conference final series, one which their coach Erik Spoelstra described as a ‘blood bath’, Miami eventually prevailed and knocked
down the Bulls, 4-1.
Dallas, on the other hand, sprung a few surprises on their road to the Finals. The Mavericks successfully handled Brandon Roy’s all conquering return in the first round of the playoffs and defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 4-2.
However, they stunned the NBA fraternity in the semifinal series when they swept the two times defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. Finally, they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 in the conference finals to reach the NBA finals.
According to the pundits of the game, Miami is lacking the chemistry and most of all, the size in their ranks to topple the Mavs. They are also short on a lethal point guard, who can turn the game. However, there are many reasons
still, which make Heat the favourites to land the Championship this year.
First Reason: The brilliance of LeBron James
LeBron James is one of the most gifted specimens, ever to grace the courts of NBA. Since joining the NBA in 2004, the small forward has bewitched the NBA world with his amazing agility, athleticism and set of skills. In the last
seven and a half years, James has established himself as a great leader both on and off the court.
James not only provides a reliable offensive outlet, every time he steps on the court, but he also infuses his energy to his teammates. He is a great hustler and a true leader on the court. King might not have won the championship
ring so far, but his stats during the playoffs are phenomenal. James averages 26.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game during the playoffs and has been Miami’s main man in the crunch situations off late.
Second Reason: Joel Anthony
Centre Joel Anthony is one of the key players of Miami. The 28-year-old centre has emerged as one of the biggest surprises during this post season, averaging 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. The key to Miami’s chances in the
Finals will be their effectiveness in hounding Dirk Nowitzki and Anthony is the best man for the job. Anthony has the ability to bump and hound any opposition player on the D and can also keep the player away from the three-point line. Considering Dallas’s
prowess from downtown in this post-season, Joel may just be the man who puts a lid on the Mavericks’ sharp-shooters.