NBA Finals: Rematch, anyone?

ANKARA

What a playoffs it has been. Game-winning shots, game-saving blocks and incredible matchups have taken fans' breaths away throughout the 2014 post season.

But now it is time for the ultimate challenge - the NBA finals are here.

The San Antonio Spurs became the Western Conference Champions once again, their time second in a row, for a chance to redeem themselves against the Eastern Conference Champions - the Miami Heat.

The Miami Heat, who are close to building a dynasty, will advance to the finals for the fourth time in a row and look for a triple win, as they were the champions in 2012 and 2013.

The opening round of the 2014 Playoffs was the best ever seen, with a total of 8 matchups combined within 50 games, the most in NBA history.

The best-of-seven series format, which has been implemented in the first rounds since 2003, mostly benefited as five matchups went to game seven, three of them on the same day.

Opponents eliminated

Home ground advantage played a key factor in the series, with the Indiana Pacers, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs all eliminating their opponents for a final game at home to advance.

However, the Brooklyn Nets managed to survive out of their home ground, beating the Toronto Raptors at the Raptors' home, thanks to Nets forward Paul Pierce's game-saving block.

The Heat was the only team to sweep - winning the first four games to advance - its opponent, Charlotte Bobcats.

Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards eliminated the Chicago Bulls four games to one and the Portland Trail Blazers eliminated the Houston Rockets four games to two, in a dramatic fashion.

The Spurs endured the greater challenge in the Western Conference, unlike the Miami Heat.

Their first-round matchup, the Dallas Mavericks, took the Spurs to the limit for game seven, but Tim Duncan - arguably the best power-forward ever - and his friends benefitted from their experience and beat the Mavericks in their home to advance to the second round.

Exciting second round

The Blazers' point guard Damian Lillard hit the last second shot to overcome the Houston Rockets and won the series for his team.

Lillard's series winning buzzer-beater was the first ever since 1997, when Utah Jazz's then-point guard John Stockton eliminated the Houston Rockets with a three-point shot.

The second round of the playoffs was also exciting.

In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers eliminated the Washington Wizards in six games while the Heat did not see a fight from the Brooklyn Nets. The Heat cruised past the Nets in five games.

In the Western Conference, San Antonio cruised past the Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 and the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers in six games.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers had an opportunity to take revenge from the Heat, who eliminated them for the last two seasons, but came up short as the Heat claimed another Eastern Conference title in six games.

Home advantage

Miami's big three, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh played a huge role in the games, while Ray Allen, the deadliest three-point shooter in the league, gave the Pacers tough times.

The Western Conference Finals saw another great duel between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, where the Spurs used their home ground advantage and won the first two games.

But under the leadership of Kevin Durant - the 2013-2014 season's Most Valuable Player - and point guard Russell Westbrook's great performances, the Thunder evened up the series at two apiece. 

The Spurs won the fifth game by using their home ground advantage and eventually rolled past the Thunder in six games.

Now, meeting again for a rematch, the two teams know each other's weaknesses and strengths as they ready for the first game at 9 p.m. local time (02.00 GMT) on Wednesday in San Antonio.

The Spurs are going for a fifth championship in the era of power forward Tim Duncan, while the Heat wants to achieve the first triple victory since the Lakers did it between 2000 and 2002.

Classic series

The Spurs will again rely on superstar Duncan, 38, and Tony Parker, the team's leading scorer in the post-season with 17.2 points per game.

The role players, such as three-point specialist Danny Green and Kawhi Leonard, will have to step up their game in order not to lose another ring in the finals.

Meanwhile, the Heat rely on Lebron James' performance.

Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade will have to take over the leadership role when James is not on the court.

Will we experience another classic series from these two powerhouse teams?

Let's wait and see.

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

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