Power Ranking the Most Compelling NBA Finals Matchups Still Possible

This year's NBA playoffs are in full swing, with six teams remaining in the chase for a title.

While the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder have cruised through the Western Conference, many intense games still await in the East.

So what teams will eventually meet in the NBA Finals?  What would the most compelling matchups be?

Here are a list of the eight possible remaining Finals matchups, ranked in order from least appealing to most compelling.

8. Philadelphia 76ers vs. San Antonio Spurs

Likelihood of Meeting: Very unlikely.

Key Matchup: Manu Ginobili vs. Andre Iguodala

Compelling Storylines:

There aren't many, to be honest.

San Antonio is a likely candidate to come out of the Western Conference, and are also the least exciting of the remaining teams out west.

The Sixers find themselves in a 3-2 hole to the Boston Celtics, so if by some miracle they can come back, beat the Miami Heat or Indiana Pacers and get to face San Antonio in the Finals, expect a whooping.

This would likely draw a record low in TV viewers and force David Stern to increase the playoffs an extra round in an attempt to make up lost revenue.

Who Would Win: Spurs, 4-0.

7. Indiana Pacers vs. San Antonio Spurs

Likelihood of Meeting: Possible, but unlikely.

Key Matchup: Tony Parker vs. George Hill

Compelling Storylines:

The Pacers would no doubt catch the eye of NBA fans if they could somehow knock off the Miami Heat, and could definitely beat the 76ers or Celtics in an Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

It would be youth vs. experience in this matchup, and we would get a show of teacher vs. student in Tony Parker and former backup George Hill.

It would be a Finals worth watching, but ultimately won't happen.

Who Would Win: Spurs, 4-1.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Likelihood of Meeting: Very unlikely.

Key Matchup: Kevin Durant vs. Andre Iguodala

Compelling Storylines:

Not a lot, although people would tune in just to watch Durant and the young Thunder in their first Finals appearance.

The 76ers are a nice team, but nobody wants to see them in the Finals outside of Philly.

The Sixers win with their defense and balanced team attack; the Thunder win with their superior overall talent.  In a matchup such as this, it wouldn't be much of a contest.

Who Would Win: Thunder, 4-0.

5. Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Likelihood of Meeting: Possible, but unlikely.

Key Matchup: Kevin Durant vs. Danny Granger

Compelling Storylines:

Not a lot in terms of history between these two clubs, but both are quite fun to watch.

The Pacers are quickly winning fans over worldwide by their tough play against the Heat, and would once again find themselves as major underdogs should they make it to the Finals against OKC.

While it might be a fun series to watch, it wouldn't be all that compelling nor competitive.

Who Would Win: Thunder, 4-0.

4. Boston Celtics vs. San Antonio Spurs

Likelihood of Meeting: Possible but unlikely.

Key Matchup: Tim Duncan vs. Kevin Garnett

Compelling Storylines:

Two of the best power forwards in the history of the NBA squaring off in what is now the twilight of their careers, Tony Parker vs. Rajon Rondo and countless old people jokes would make this a somewhat intriguing matchup.

Due to the history of these two teams and their success in recent years, this matchup would be compelling enough to watch, but would still seem somewhat disappointing.

Who Would Win: Spurs, 4-2.

3. Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Likelihood of Meeting: Quite possible.

Key Matchup: Russell Westbrook vs. Rajon Rondo

Compelling Storylines:

Here's where the matchups start to get real interesting.

Youth vs. experience.

Kendrick Perkins vs. his former team.

17 championships vs. zero Finals appearances.

A Boston-OKC Finals would carry many storylines and certainly make for a very compelling matchup.  While it still wouldn't be the sexiest meeting the NBA could conjure, things are definitely heating up.

Who Would Win: Thunder, 4-2.

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat

Likelihood of Meeting: Very possible.

Key Matchup: Manu Ginobili vs. Dwyane Wade

Compelling Storylines:

The Heat in the Finals again would be a ratings monster, no matter who they were playing.

LeBron would get his chance at redemption against Tim Duncan and the Spurs, who knocked out his Cavaliers in the 2007 Finals.

Could the Heat come together to finally win LeBron a ring, or would another balanced team from Texas send Miami to another offseason full of questions and disappointment. 

Who Would Win: Spurs, 4-3.

1. Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Likelihood of Meeting: Extremely possible.

Key Matchup: LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant

Compelling Storylines:

This is the matchup NBA fans have wanted to see before the season even kicked off.

The Heat returning to the Finals, looking for redemption.  The Thunder taking the next step in their quest for NBA dominance.  Both teams carry plenty of intrigue, and would be a Finals even the non-NBA fan would be curious to see who came out on top.

The Heat and Thunder are not only two of the best teams in the league, but also two of the most exciting to watch.  The way each chose to build their team in completely opposite ways also adds an extra level of intrigue. 

This would be a Finals matchup for the ages, and could also be the same matchup for years to come.

Who Would Win: Thunder, 4-3.