NBA Playoffs 2013: Highlighting Keys to Victory in Potential Spurs-Heat Final

There wasn't a more enticing potential matchup for the NBA finals at the start of the 2013 playoffs than Spurs-Heat, and we are inching close to that becoming a reality. 

Only the Indiana Pacers can keep this from happening now, and while that is a possibility that would be foolish to rule out, it's impossible not to look ahead. 

There isn't a lot to go on for deciphering how these teams will attempt to matchup with each other. The Spurs sat their stars the first time these two clashed this year, and the Heat rested the top of their roster the second time. 

Still, it is clear the strengths of these teams present fun and interesting matchups all over the court. Here are the three key ones. 

*All stats via NBA.com unless otherwise noted.

  

Interior Battle

The Spurs' greatest advantage in this matchup would come on the interior. Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter are a load for any team to handle.

They give the Spurs excellent length on the inside, and that length will give the Heat fits. This matchup is going to force Chris Bosh to expend energy trying to guard Duncan, and that will leave the likes of Udonis Haslem and Chris Andersen to try and slow down Splitter. Both are solid defenders, but Splitter has the size and skill to give them problems.

Of course, the Heat's best plan to combat the Spurs' size could be to try and go small and run them off the court. 

That will set up for a dynamic matchup and some fun basketball. The Spurs also have the ability go small, and their perimeter shooting increases when they do. 

This would be a game of chess between the two coaches as they try to find vulnerabilities in the opponent. 

Spurs' Ball Movement 

The Spurs love to spread the ball with quick passes around the perimeter. But that can be a risky proposition against LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Both men are aggressive and savvy in the passing lanes, and they spearhead a defense that finished third in steals per game. 

Even with their ability to swipe passes, this will be no easy task against the Spurs. San Antonio led the NBA in assists per game and per possession, and they were second, according to TeamRankings.com, in assist-to-turnover ratio. 

This will be a battle of strength against strength. 

The Heat love to pressure the ball to try and force turnovers or disrupt the offense by getting the opposition to stall out when the rock is in the hands of non point guards. 

The Spurs have shown they can move around this kind of defense. They had no problem moving the ball against a Grizzlies' defense that was fourth in steals per game. 

Guarding LBJ and Parker

Let's be honest: There's no guarding LeBron James. The hope is that he will have an off game or to simply slow him down. The Spurs have the players to do that.

Kawhi Leonard is giving up around 2" and 30 pounds to LeBron, but he has the athleticism to stay with him. He also won't have to worry about stopping LeBron down low by himself.

Tim Duncan is one of the greats to play the game at help defense down low. Sure, he's lost a step, but he still is a huge factor down low. 

Anyway you look at it, the Spurs are better equipped to guard James than the Heat are with Tony Parker.

Mario Chalmers is not going to be able to keep Parker out of the lane, and once he gets there, he will either score or dump it off for an easy bucket.

The Heat would be forced at times to play Wade or James on Parker simply to disrupt the Spurs' offense, and while that helps them slow down Parker, it weakens the rest of the defense.

Time will tell if this matchup becomes a reality. If it does, it will be a joy to watch.