NBA Playoffs: Updated Conference Finals Predictions

With two games already gone by, and one series yet to start, the Conference Finals are going to be exciting, yet again.

Last year in the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder were able to beat the San Antonio Spurs to move on, but got their hearts broken by the lower-seeded Miami Heat in the Finals. In the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the Heat were able to knock off the Boston Celtics to get to the Finals, where LeBron James finally captured that elusive NBA Championship.

This year, however, things have changed. The injury bug has always been there, but this year, is there in a huge way. The only teams that don’t have significant injuries, other than Danny Granger, are the only teams left in contention. It’s been an unfortunate year that saw many superstars out, but the show must always go on. And that, my friends, it will.

May 18, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers fan holds up a sign to bring on the Miami Heat after the Pacers defeat the New York Knicks in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat (1) vs. Indiana Pacers (3):

After knocking off the New York Knicks handedly, the Pacers are going to Miami to face the Heat in Game 1 tonight.

It’s going to be pretty intense, considering the exchange of “pleasantries” between Frank Vogel and James. Now that these two teams are “rivals,” it’ll make for a much more entertaining playoff series.

As this series has yet to begin, fans are wondering who’s going to come out strong. Of course, the prediction is that the Heat win, again, but others are saying that the Pacers are the only team in the Eastern Conference capable of taking out the Heat. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Prediction: Heat win 4-2

San Antonio Spurs (2) vs Memphis Grizzlies (5):

As the lowest seed left in contention, the Grizzlies must have been feeling pretty good about themselves coming into the series. Not Tuesday night, however.

In Game 1, the Spurs absolutely torched the Grizzlies, and Game 2, although closer, saw the Spurs winning yet again, but this time in OT.

They were able to fend of the Grizzlies 15-2 run in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter to gain themselves a victory. That’s a hard fought one if you ask me. For the Grizzlies, it’s heartbreaking, but they need to stay focused, and not allow the Spurs to take a 3-0 series advantage.

Prediction: Spurs win 4-1