All Star Break Picks
EAST WEST
1. Indiana Pacers 1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Miami Heat 2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Toronto Raptors 3. LA Clippers
4. Washington Wizards 4. Houston Rockets
5. Chicago Bulls 5. Portland Trail Blazers
6. Atlanta Hawks 6. Golden State Warriors
7. Charlotte Bobcats 7. Phoenix Suns
8. New York Knicks 8. Dallas Mavericks
9. Brooklyn Nets 9. Memphis Grizzlies
10.Detroit Pistons 10.Minnesota Timberwolves
11.Cleveland Cavaliers 11.New Orleans Hornets
12.Boston Celtics 12.Denver Nuggets
13.Orlando Magic 13.Sacramento Kings
14.Philadelphia 76ers 14.Los Angeles Lakers
15.Milwaukee Bucks 15.Utah Jazz
Eastern Conference Finals Western Conference Finals
Miami Heat def. Indiana Pacers Oklahoma City Thunder def. San Antonio Spurs
NBA Finals
Miami Heat def. Oklahoma City Thunder
2014 NBA CHAMPIONS
Miami Heat
I plan on updating these again after March 1, which is the final day teams can add players
that have been released or bought out and have them eligible to play in the playoffs. With the
Trade deadline coming up in a couple of days, and that March 1 date also effecting team rosters,
things can end up changing. It was tough to make these picks at this stage as the West is just
so good, and I still have confidence in the Spurs to at least get to the West Finals. I took
injuries into account here. I also decided to make a couple of predictions that I think are a little
bold. I just cant put the Knicks away, even with 30 games left. I also dont have a definitive answer
for who I feel will win the 2014 NBA Championship. The Thunder match up very well with the Heat.
They use their youth, length, and athleticism to disrupt, getting in passing lanes and forcing
turnovers. Their defense is impressive. Its a similar style to the Heat, but they are more athletic.
As the rosters are currently constructed, the Heat will need Shane Battier to knock down shots and be effective in guarding Kevin Durant at times. The Heat need to take him away from his spots and deny him the ball like they did in the 2012 Finals. Also, if they can use the Thunder's turnover problem to their advantage, and the Heat do force the most turnovers in the NBA, that will give them their best shot to beat OKC. They showed some very good things in their first meeting with OKC this season, though they were beaten. I suspect the Heat will try to add another athletic wing to help them with this situation. Regardless, I see that being an incredible series and its hard to choose either way. My brain does lean towards OKC, but I cant bet against the 2 time defending NBA Champions at this point.
