Early NBA Finals Predictions

[Lazersharpe]

The thing with the Mavs is they have a deep bench. They will keeping coming after you even when the starters are out. The Heat's big three can't play the whole game and still have anything in the tank at the end. If the Heat can keep the Mavs bench from scoring over 30, the Heat will win.

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

Kidd has been guarding Kobe, Durant, and Westbrook all playoffs. I think he will be just fine guarding D Wade.

Chandler has been great but I don't get your comment about Bosh/Haslem pulling him outta the lane. It's no different than what they would have tried to do with Noah and the Bulls

The Heat tried going small against the Bulls in game one, and it didn't work for them mainly because Gibson and Noah are both very athletic defenders who are comfortable defending on the perimeter. Chandler is not any where near as comfortable out there. When the Heat go small with LeBron at the four, which they did a ton against Boston, then they have to find someone for Nowitzki and Chandler to guard. Assuming they throw Dirk on James Jones or Miller, that leaves Chandler on Bosh.

So far this playoffs Chandler has been able to guard Marcus Camby, Andrew Bynum and Kendrick Perkins, none of those guys are threats on the pick and pop play. The Heat run a ton of pick and rolls with LeBron and Bosh, so either Chandler hedges hard and Bosh can step back for an open look or they switch and Chandler ends up on LeBron. The Celtics found themselves in this situation a lot and got killed trying to guard LeBron with a big.

 

[WhiteThunder]

Heat in 5, REALLY hope I'm wrong.

 

[Lazersharpe]

The Mavs run a lot of Zone D. The Heat need their outside shooters to step up against the zone.

 

[Mick]

Take the Mavs in 6, I like Dirk and want him to win one before he decides to hang the sneakers up for good.

 

[Lazersharpe]

Take the Mavs in 6, I like Dirk and want him to win one before he decides to hang the sneakers up for good.

You can put Jason Kidd in the same group as Dirk who has not won a Title.

 

[Mick]

You can put Jason Kidd in the same group as Dirk who has not won a Title.

Woops, forgot about Jkidd. Lebron and co will have their time in the sun soon enough, but hopefully not before Dirk and Kidd do.

 

[briankaldenberg]

I think it would be a Heat sweep but David Stern and the officiating will have none of it.

Wade, Lebron, and Bosh will be too much for the elderly Mavericks.

 

[HawkeyeMike23]

You can put Jason Kidd in the same group as Dirk who has not won a Title.

It's kinda hard not to root for the Mavericks. Dirk's been close but never won a title, Kidd played in two finals with the Nets but never won a title, Marion was on a lot of really good Suns teams that just couldn't get past the Spurs, Peja was on some great Kings teams that couldn't get past the Lakers. Jason Terry has been with the Mavs for a long time and a lot of close calls, they have a lot of veteran guys who got close but never got a ring.

 

[Mac50702]

I think it would be a Heat sweep but David Stern and the officiating will have none of it.

Wade, Lebron, and Bosh will be too much for the elderly Mavericks.

NOOOOOOOOOOOO the heat just go tthe Kaldenberg Kiss of death. Everyone put their money on dalls to sweep.

 

[Mac50702]

I think it would be a Heat sweep but David Stern and the officiating will have none of it.

Wade, Lebron, and Bosh will be too much for the elderly Mavericks.

Kaldenberg take that back, before we get the jinx.

 

[superfan12]

Game 2 tonight, who's everyone got?

 

[Mac50702]

Lets go HEAT, but I think the Mavs will pull one out tonight.

 

[woodyk1]

Did I just see Brian Cardinal come into the game for the Mavs?

 

[superfan12]

Brian cardinal looks like a guy I would play against in rec league

 

[woodyk1]

Good comeback by the Mavs. It's a series now.