There are only a few games remaining in the regular season until the 2014 NBA Playoffs start going underway. Two months of action will be going down until we see the Finals occur in June, where the best teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences face off in a seven-game series.
On Friday night, the San Antonio Spurs clinched the best record in the league with a 21-point comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns. They'll be entering the postseason with homecourt advantage in the West.
For the Heat, they were able to defeat the Indiana Pacers and claim back the No. 1 seed in the East. Miami is only a half game ahead of Indiana for the top seed, but they can win out the rest of their games to clinch it.
With both teams performing well lately and showing off a championship level of play as they enter the playoffs, could we see a Heat-Spurs NBA Finals rematch this season?
The 2013 NBA Finals was one of the best in recent history, with the Heat having an epic comeback in Game 6 and sealing the deal in Game 7 to repeat as champions.
This year, San Antonio would be looking for revenge while the Heat look to three-peat. There's definitely a case that could be made for this epic Finals rematch to occur.
Here are five reasons why there would be a Heat-Spurs NBA Finals again.
Spurs Have Best Record In the West
For yet another year, head coach Gregg Popovich has led his Spurs to another No. 1 seeding in the Western Conference. Year after year, his team is doubted but they always find ways to win games.
The Spurs have the best record in the West and in the whole league overall. Yeah, same old story. However, this season could be seen differently.
While there is Kevin Durant's scoring outbursts this season, the Houston Rockets rolling under James Harden and Dwight Howard, the Golden State Warriors shooting lights out and the Los Angeles Clippers playing up-to-par, none of these teams have truly shown they can dethrone San Antonio.
The Spurs showed that when they went on their 19-game winning streak. Yes, they lost to the Thunder, but OKC still would have a tough matchup if they were to meet them in the postseason.
Right now, the Spurs are clearly the team to beat and no team has truly shown they can beat them in a seven-game series.
Heat Are Team To Beat In the East
The Heat evened up their regular season series with the Pacers with a crushing, 98-86 win over them at home. LeBron James had 36 points and was able to cruise by despite not having Dwyane Wade.
Wade has missed nearly 30 games this season and the Heat have still managed to get the No. 1 seed. They can win out the rest of the way to make sure they finish with the first overall seed in the East.
The only major way Miami can lose it to Indiana is if they lose a game and the Pacers win two, or they lose two or three games and Indiana wins one.
However, even with that, Miami probably wouldn't have to worry too much about not getting the first seed. At the second seed, they'd be looking at the Washington Wizards or Charlotte Bobcats. Piece of cake.
In the second round, they'd be looking at the No. 3 seed Toronto Raptors or the No. 6 seed Bobcats or Wizards. That'd be a lot easier for them than facing the Brooklyn Nets or Chicago Bulls in the second round if they were a first seed.
Who knows what Miami's gameplan is for that? I'm pretty sure they can get past the Bulls or Nets—even if Brooklyn swept Miami in the regular season. However, the second seed definitely looks a lot more enticing.
The only flaw would be if they were to face the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, because they lose out on homecourt advantage. The Heat would then have to head to Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a Game 7 ... if it were to happen.
However, I think the Heat can pull out a quick five- or six-game series with Indiana. The Pacers have not been the same since the All-Star break, and Friday night's loss shows they've barely gotten any better.
I mean, who knows, the Heat may actually end up seeing a team like the Raptors, Bulls or Nets in the conference finals!
Whatever the case may be, it's no question Miami has remained as the team to beat in the East.
Both Teams Playing Well At End of Season
The Spurs' 19-game win streak recently. The Heat playing well as of late now. Both teams are looking to finish out their regular season schedules very strong now.
This could bode well for their confidence in the postseason. Both teams are bound to crank up the gears, especially by the second and third rounds.
It's going to spell problems for their opponents.
Players On Roster
The trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili continue to remain efficient after so many seasons.
Even with Ginobii showing the most signs of regression, he is still able to have his moments. Just about a week ago, he dropped 26 points in a game versus the Memphis Grizzlies.
With that, the Spurs really shouldn't have to many worries regarding their trio heading into the postseason.
The same can be said for the Heat. James always plays well as the regular seasons winds down and the playoffs come in full swing. There's no question about that. Chris Bosh has played well this year and will be able to show up in the postseason.
The only question will be Dwyane Wade. Will he be skipping some games in the playoffs? I really wouldn't be surprised, especially regarding the first and second rounds.
However, if that happens, I expect Wade to be playing every game from the third round to the Finals—if the Heat reach to that point, of course.
The fact that Miami has been doing this good without Wade is actually a good sign. Having Wade could only be beneficial.
Experience
The Heat have been in the NBA Finals for the past three seasons. Right now, no team in the East has proven they can prevent Miami from reaching their fourth straight.
The Spurs have had their share of the Finals, too. The trio of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili have all been to four NBA Finals, winning three of them. Duncan, for his part, has been in five and is a four-time champion.
Both teams obviously have championship experience, so they know the riggers to get through the postseason. Both teams have gone through the stages year in and year out on trying to reach the Finals.
2014 shall be no different. Both teams look to get in again and they may not even have a single problem doing so.
Conclusion
As of right now, this definitely looks like the NBA Finals that is going to take place. There's a lot to say that a Heat-Spurs Finals rematch could happen, unless if some team in the East and/or West truly surprises us.
I just don't see it happening in the East at all. The Nets make a minor case and the Pacers somewhat do, but their latest struggles since the All-Star break defeats their credibility.
In the West, strong cases can be said for teams like the Thunder, Rockets, Clippers and Warriors. I think these four teams have the best chances of being able to win a series against the Spurs. I have a feeling they can definitely do it.
As of right now, though, this would be my prediction for the 2014 NBA Finals.
Who I think would win this series? That's easy...
