NBA Finals 2012 Predictions: Heat Won't Have an Answer for Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook may have experienced his share of struggles against the Miami Heat over the last two seasons, but we all know what he's capable of doing.

So too do the Heat.

Westbrook made just 31 percent of his field goal attempts in two games against Miami this season and just under 32 percent of his shots in last season's two matchups. The shoot-first point guard might not be one of the league's most efficient scorers, but those performances were woefully subpar by even his standards.

There may be something to the notion that guys like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade simply have the kind of length and quickness that can keep Westbrook in check.

Whether guarding him one-on-one or helping out when he gets past Miami's first line of defense, the Heat have the kind of personnel who can derail Westbrook's game in a number of ways.

Ultimately, though, that's just a reason Oklahoma City's second-leading scorer will need to make a few adjustments.

For example, he may discover that his best scoring opportunities will come off the ball. We've seen James Harden take the ball up the court a number of times in this postseason, and that trend may continue against Miami.

With the opportunity to run his defender through some screens and catch the ball while moving to the basket, it becomes more difficult for defenders to zero in on Westbrook. And with Harden taking the lead in pick-and-roll situations, Westbrook may become the benefactor of some open shots in the corner.

Harden has a knack for getting to the rim, and if Westbrook's defender helps clog up the paint, OKC's Sixth Man of the Year will simply need to make the right pass.

Nevertheless, the Thunder's 23-year-old floor general isn't at his best in the catch-and-shoot game, and his effectiveness still depends upon his ability to create havoc with his penetration and mid-range pull-up jumpers.

Here too, Harden will be the reason Westbrook gets some good looks—this time as a decoy.

If Harden can get off to a quick start (off the bench, as it were), it may force head coach Erik Spoelstra to choose between the lesser of evils: putting Dwyane Wade on Harden and letting Westbrook run free, or having Wade defend Westbrook while Mike Miller or Shane Battier checks Harden.

Clearly, Westbrook will be better off with Mario Chalmers or Norris Cole defending him, so early success from Harden very well may be the trick to sustained production by Westbrook.

Either way, this much is certain: Westbrook is one of the most versatile scorers in the game. He's topped 30 points only once in these playoffs, and he'll have something to prove in this series.

Don't be at all surprised if he proves those regular-season missteps against the Heat are a thing of the past.