Celtics vs. Heat Game 7: Why Heat Are Destined to Meet Thunder in NBA Finals

NBA Game 7s are some of the greatest games in the history of the sport. However, if the NBA needs viewership and the "Big 3" matchup they desire, then the Heat will prevail without much effort tonight in Miami.

That's not to say there is a conspiracy theory going on in the NBA. But it seems like the matchups we get as fans are predicated on the ones that get the most revenue flowing in the homes of those watching the games, and a Heat-Thunder NBA Finals would do just that.

Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James. James Harden and Russell Westbrook vs. Dwyane Wade. Serge Ibaka vs. Chris Bosh.

The headlines are there for one of the most exiting NBA Finals in recent memory. Conspiracy theory or not, the Heat have all the intangibles to reach the finals, and most of them have nothing to do with fixed officiating or a league-mandated finals.

For one, LeBron James is playing like a man possessed. The smiling, happy nature of the guy who wants to have fun and play the game is gone. In its place is the assassin, the man sent to capture a title no matter the cost and no matter who gets in his way.

The Heat are playing team ball, and the Celtics have no answer for LeBron other than Rajon Rondo slowing the pace down to a dribbling stall. Let's be honest, the Celtics are masterful at their craft. No one has a better scheme and executes with the players they have (Greg Stiemsma). 

But Miami is on a mission, they have home-court advantage for Game 7 and they have LeBron.

This game could be one for the record books. A Celtics win would push Heat doubters to the brim, calling for trades of the big three and the firing of head coach Erik Spoelstra. A Heat win would likely mean the end for the KG-Pierce-Allen trio's time that saw another Boston title in 2008.

The ratings for the Heat and Celtics were through the roof, the best the NBA has drawn since 2003. It's not because of Boston, people. People want to see Miami fail. But at the same time, they want Miami to push on, because let's be honest, if Boston wins, no one is going to watch the NBA Finals religiously.

With Miami, you love them or hate them, sometimes so fiercely that you need them just to stay interested.

The Thunder and Heat are built in a similar way. Each have perennial All-Stars and future stars in the making. Analysts and fans have been calling for these two since the season started, and Miami will have the chance to appease those callers tonight when they search for a second finals appearance in two seasons.