NBA Finals 2012: Most Compelling Matchups of Game 3

The NBA Finals are tied at one game apiece, and it has become clear the series will be won and lost based on a few key matches.

Russell Westbrook and Dwyane Wade are important, but they seem to cancel each other out. There are other matchups on the floor that will have a far greater impact on this series.

With the series shifting to Miami, the young Thunder have their backs against the walls. Yet if they are able to win the following matchups, they should have no problems heading back to Oklahoma City with a 3-2 advantage and two home games in front of them.

LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant

Obviously, this is the matchup everybody is watching.

If LeBron stays aggressive like he did in Game 2, where he was able to get Durant in foul trouble, the Thunder are going to be in serious danger. OKC wants LeBron settling for jumpers. They’ll live with that because LeBron has the clear strength advantage over the beanpole Durant in the paint.

In Game 2, James was 9-of-16 (56.3 percent) in the paint. He only made one long jumper (the incredible bank late in the fourth). He went from shooting 50 percent of his field goals in the paint in Game 1 to taking 72.7 percent of his shots inside on Thursday.

LeBron has missed 40 of 53 threes dating back to the Indiana series.

Meanwhile, Durant has to stop reaching and try his best to avoid contact in the lane. The Thunder can’t survive offensively at Miami with Durant on the bench with foul trouble.

Offensively, Durant needs to keep doing the exact same thing. No changes necessary. He was put on this earth to score points.

Heat Bench vs. Thunder Bench

Miami has to utilize the bench or the starters are going to collapse with exhaustion.

Is Mike Miller capable of giving them 15 minutes? The injuries on Miller are piling up, but his ability to space the floor and rebound are desperately needed against a Thunder team who still foolishly plays Kendrick Perkins. Udonis Haslem has been merely average, but Norris Cole is the main bench player who deserves more time.

Cole played surprisingly effective defense on Russell Westbrook as he seems to be the only player on the roster capable of keeping up with the speedster. Cole deserves 20 minutes on Sunday in Game 3.

As for the Thunder, they should keep James Harden coming off the bench. Bringing him in against a fatigued Heat team worked magnificently in Game 2, and he finished with 21 points.

I’d limit the minutes of the incredibly slow Derek Fisher (0-for-4 from three-point range in Game 2), and toss Daequan Cook in to have a better shooter on the floor. Both of them are defensive liabilities, so it’s a wash in that department. Don’t forget about the incredible grit and hustle that Nick Collison has brought to the table thus far. He deserves more of Perkins’ minutes.

The Thunder has the better bench and need to start using it to their advantage.

Erik Spoelstra vs. Scott Brooks

This may not be compelling to the casual fan, but the chess match that will be Game 3 is going to be thrilling to watch.

Spoelstra made the brilliant decision to start Chris Bosh in Game 2, and the results were aces. Bosh had 15 rebounds (seven offensive) and brought incredible energy to the table that seemed to ignite his teammates.

Now Brooks must adjust by altering his lineup.

He has been very hesitant to alter his starting five, but it has become painfully clear that Perkins should not be playing in this series. The Heat has gone small, and the slow-footed Perkins can’t keep up. Shane Battier hit five of his seven threes in Game 2 with Perk defending. Perkins is a decent player, but has been rendered useless in this series.

It would take a ton of guts by Brooks, but he should keep Perkins on the bench for the remainder of the series. Will Brooks adjust?

This is quickly becoming one of the most compelling NBA Finals matchups of all time, and there are plenty of scenarios that can play out.

When you wouldn’t be surprised if one of the teams wins 4-1, but expect a seven-game series—you know you are in for one heck of a Finals.

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