Jun 11, 2012; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant lines up for a drill with Thunder guard James Harden (13) and Thunder guard Daequan Cook (14) during practice before game one of the 2012 NBA finals against the Miami Heat at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE

At this time around last year Miami marched into the NBA finals, against the Dallas Mavericks, as overwhelming favorites. They had beaten Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago, winning all series in 5 games. Most predicted an easy victory for Miami, and it looked like that would be the case when James and Wade were celebrating on the court as the Heat held a 2-1 lead in the series. Three games later Miami’s dream of another championship had to be postponed at least another year.

This year has been different in so many ways. Miami walk into the finals, considered by many, as slight underdogs. Having battled through a young Indiana team in the 2nd round, and a tough conference finals against the Boston Celtics, the Heat faced several roadblocks to reach the finals.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have home court advantage, and the series will start in Oklahoma. The finals format is 2-3-2, which means that Miami will play 3 straight at home (if needed) after the first 2 games in Oklahoma.

Keys to the game

June 4, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guards Russell Westbrook (0) and James Harden (13) talk against the San Antonio Spurs during the first half in game five of the Western Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at the AT

Game 1 is always a kind of a “feeler” game for both teams. Both OKC and Miami faced very different teams in the conference finals, and it will be interesting to see as to who is able to set the tone from the start, and adjust to the higher pace.

After losing the first two games to the Spurs in the western conference finals, OKC have been nothing short of spectacular, winning 4 games in a row. They did this against a team that, seemingly, had no weaknesses and that most people started crowning as champions after the first two games. The Spurs were exposed and obliterated by the young legs of OKC, and they will be looking to carry that momentum into the finals.

June 9, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) stares at NBA official Mike Callahan (left) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference finals at the American Airlines Arena. The Heat defeated the Celtics 101-88. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Miami were in a very similar situation. They had lost at home and went down 3-2 in the eastern conference finals against Boston, and the it looked like the Heat were going to have an early exit in this year’s playoffs. After several spectacular performances by James, Miami went on to win at Boston and at home to make the finals. Both teams battled adversity in these playoffs and that is why this series won’t be over until it’s over. Both teams have come back in games where they trailed by double digits, and it will be a marvellous sight to see these two resilient teams go at each other.

Jun 06, 2012; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; A general view during the first half of the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in game six of the Western Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE

OKC are undefeated at home in this postseason, and it will be very tough for Miami  to steal this one, who are usually mediocre away from South Beach. Miami’s biggest advantage is experience, as they were all right here last year. This will be LeBron’s 3rd finals, and as we know, Wade already won a ring in 2006. As much as Durant & Co. have grown, it will be interesting to see how they tackle the nerves in their first finals together.

Jun 11, 2012; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) during practice before game one of the 2012 NBA finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-US PRESSWIRE

OKC undoubtedly have a great advantage in the paint when Bosh is on the bench. If Erik Spoelstra decides to let Bosh come off the bench, OKC should be able to get off to a good start, and look to get the ball into the paint. Both OKC and Miami have had several rocky starts in games, during this postseason, so the start off the game could very well be very indicative of the final result.

Chris Bosh has played well in the last two games, and is coming off a great game 7. Look for him to get involved as early as possible to take the pressure of LeBron and Wade.

May 13, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (left) and small forward LeBron James (right) talk during the second half in game one of the Eastern Conference semifinals against he Indiana Pacers of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 95-86. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

HEAT prevail as a team, and let-talk-stay-cheap in a 95-86 win over Pacers for Game 1, led by an MVP Performance from the 2011-2012 award recipient LeBron James.

Talk led the charge in the papers this week.  Pacer’s Head coach Frank Vogle seemed to think the Miami HEAT team just got together yesterday, summon their talents by luck and lack the talent to win without “flopping” on defense, among other things.

“Flopping,’ of course referring to taking an offensive foul, to which the HEAT drew only one, and still managed to own the  tempo in the 4th quarter and end with the win, HEAT-Style.  The HEAT scorched the Pacers tonight,  led by MVP3 LeBron James, scoring 32 points, 15 -Monster-Rebounds, and 5 Assists; followed by D-Wade’s 29 Points, and Chris Bosh adding 13 Points/5 Boards.  Exclamation point to the now bulletin-board material provided by the Indiana Pacers, as if the HEAT needed any other motivation to get past the Pacers quickly and on to the Conference Finals.

HEAT dominated throughout despite trailing in score for a large part of the game; the Big 3 scored 74 of the team’s 95 total points, but not without consequence.  Late in the 2nd quarter, Chris Bosh went down following a drive to the basket and left with an abdominal strain, cutting the mood of an otherwise hyped-playoff atmosphere and leaving a huge question mark to his status and availability for the game, series, and post-season future.

With Bosh out, the HEAT had to dig deep internally to pull this one out, enlisted the heart of the bench and got a concerted, quality defensive 2nd half  despite trailing most of the game.  Rony Touriaf gained entry with the Bosh-exit and added quality defensive minutes with 4 points on offense to the crowd’s delight (Touriaf is a favorite with his style, hustle, and output anytime he’s in); Mike Miller and Shane Battier added strong minutes on defense as well.  Joel Anthony was another high-point, clutching the slack left by the ailing Bosh to add 9 points and 7 rebounds in the winning effort.

May 13, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) holds the MVP trophy before game two of the second round of the 2012 NBA playoffs game one of the Eastern Conference semifinals against he Indiana Pacers of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

 Keys of the Game:

1.  HEAT Basketball-a return to transitional defense-to-offensive play swayed momentum on both sides of the court, ally-oops and fast breaks with James and Wade leading the charge.

2.  LeBron James.  Accepting the MVP Trophy for a 3rd time, and following a moving acceptance speech the day prior at the AAA, let the world know why he’s the one holding the hardware this year.  Tonight’s numbers are “Witness,” but in the same breath you have to mention his defense and his leadership in running point tonight and keeping the ship sailing true.  He did not allow any unraveling of purpose or scope following CB1′s untimely exit and got the needed result.  Executed like a true champion.

3.  HEAT Defense:  Although the HEAT struggled offensively, they did not allow the Pacers to score above 40% from the field and under 90 points for the game (including a dismal 16 point final period). At times the true test of a champion is not how you perform when you’re playing well, but how well you manage the game when you play poorly.  HEAT shot 40% themselves, but managed to out-will the Pacers all night in transition and on defense and get the win.

May 13, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel looks on during the first half in game one of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Miami Heat of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 95-86. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Par for the course was Pacers coming in to the AAA and losing by 7, they lost by 2 more than that and were, even with the lead for better part of 3 quarters IRRELEVANT.  Irrelevant in scoring, irrelevant on defense, irrelevant on just about every measure on both sides of the floor.  While holding the lead in a back-forth grind-it-out playoff game, they never held the capacity to break this one open, not against a HEAT team that maintained pace and strength on defense.

In truth, with lead in hand it was only a matter of time before the HEAT drew blood and made this their game.   The Pacers might as well have been an animatronic from Disney World  dressed up like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, throw in a Goofy, and any other characters I can’t think of that exist at the Magic Kingdom to make a 5 player squad, then having them lace-up against the HEAT for a playoff game.  Charge the public $50/person to see the whole shebang, give the viewers some schwag for showing up, and after the game an aw-shucks, better luck next time, thanks for coming out, then a big-Adios to Peyton-World, Indianapolis (Is it Luck-World now? Sure isn’t Vogle-Land or Roy Hibbert’s Islands of Adventure that’s for sure).

Regardless, HEAT Fans can exhale and sleep well tonight, even if losing Bosh for an an undermined amount of post seasoned games.  While there is a certain sting that comes with the loss of CB1, a certain theme of ’15 strong”, while not the 2005-06 HEAT squad, seems to resonate loudly right now.

Maybe it was the summoning of the team by LeBron to the podium in acceptance of his MVP award, maybe it goes back to last season.  In any case,  there are few gaps in the team as a cohesive unit, and after the latest test all are eager and able to rise to the challenge when called.  The HEAT proved it tonight, while absolutely in pain with the loss of Bosh and wish him the best in a speedy recovery-are confident in their abilities, are up for the challenge Tuesday for Game 2 in Miami against the ‘Pacers.  Or Goofys; whoever decides to show up.  Whoever, Whatever-Bring them all on.