Miami Heat More Concerned with Thunder-Spurs Than 76ers-Celtics

To put things in perspective, the 76ers are as much of a threat to the Boston Celtics tonight as the Celtics are to the Miami Heat in the Eastern conference finals.

That's the good news.

The bad?

The Heat are considered just as much of a long shot to beat the heavily favored San Antonio Spurs in the NBA finals.

Which is why Heat fans should spare themselves of the debate on which opponent Miami would be better off playing in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Because I can assure you that the Miami Heat have more of a vested interest in tomorrow's match-up between Oklahoma City and San Antonio than tonight's JV game between Philadelphia and Boston.

Not that they would ever be foolish enough to admit that to the media.

Nor would they be foolish enough to disregard a gritty Celtics team that has built its reputation as a team that will capitalize on every possible advantage given to them.

But, at this stage of the game, the reality is that if a Chris Bosh-less Miami Heat can't beat a hobbled  Celtics team without its best perimeter defender on its own home-court, they won't have a prayer on the road against either Oklahoma City or San Antonio.

And the Miami Heat know this.

In fact, let me let you in on a little secret.

Of the two basketball match-ups of the weekend, whatever meager interest Miami will have in tonight's game will be to root for the Celtics to win.

Know why?

Because who cares about the path of least resistance heading into the Eastern Conference Finals.

Miami would rather have a better shot at being at the top of their game heading into the NBA Finals.

See, the fact of the matter is that Thunders-Spurs tomorrow night holds much deeper significance because of two very specific reasons.

For one, both teams are better than whoever comes out of this game seven tonight between Boston and Philly.

And second.

Well, here's the real secret.

The biggest secret that no one has talked about since the start of the NBA playoffs despite how much of an elephant its become to any viewer with the slightest hint of basketball sense.

There are no two teams more similar in the NBA playoffs than the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat.

Just look at them side by side

Both led by two dynamic superstars that have to score over 60 points combined for their team to win.

Both possessing a third wheel all-star that provides timely scoring and essentially puts them over the top on most night when at the top of his game.

Both fueled by the fast-break.

Both directed by a young coach.

Both nearly unbeatable at home.

And for whatever argument you could make over Miami's narrow edge in talent among it's two superstars is offset by their comparatively inferior supporting cast.

Which is really to say just one thing.

If Oklahoma City can't hold it's own against San Antonio, how can Miami expect to?

And that's the real question that will linger over these conference finals for the Miami Heat.

Now, ideally, both for the Heat and the NBA, Miami will face Oklahoma City in a match-up that will generate as much buzz as any other in the history of the NBA Finals. 

Because it will signify the illusion of what a devastating powerhouse San Antonio currently looks to be.

And, at this point, that is the only topic of conversation that should be on any Miami Heat fans mind.

Since I can assure you that it's currently dominating the minds of the Miami Heat's west coast doppelganger.