AF1: 2014 NBA FINALS GAME 7 PREVIEW (Heat vs. Kings)

Memphis is doing it only with Gay and Mayo? Guess not, you're in 2013 already. How does their roster look like?

This is an unexpected C Final. Maybe the Grizzlies can make the big surprise.

This is an unexpected C Final. Maybe the Grizzlies can make the big surprise.

I'll let you know in the next 24 hours, recap should be posted soon

Let's go Thunda!

Just don't say that too loud, Seattle might here you, haha.

Memphis is doing it only with Gay and Mayo? Guess not, you're in 2013 already. How does their roster look like?

Believe it or not, a lot of it has to do with Gay and Mayo. Over the last three seasons, they've both developed tremendously and both are top 20 players in the league. There's not too many teams that have that in 2013 (Miami and Oklahoma City are the only that come to mind), so it's definitely one of the best duos in the league.

Also, add in: (1) A weaker Western Conference where traditional powers (LA, DAL, SAS) are falling. (2) The emergence of Marc Gasol as a good third option, and (3) A decent bench. Put all those together and you have a Grizzlies team challenging for the title

Cant wait for the results

I guess I could do a test sim of a few years with the Grizz

2013 NBA PLAYOFFS
CONFERENCE FINALS RECAP

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder defeat (2) Memphis Grizzlies in 6 games

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
(3) Atlanta Hawks defeat (1) Boston Celtics in 7 games

Analysis: Oklahoma City returns to the NBA Finals, while Memphis comes up short, despite producing easily the best season in Grizzlies history. Atlanta continues to prove the doubters wrong, coming into the Celtics' arena and blowing them out in Game 7. Boston's loss ends the storied career of Ray Allen.

2013 NBA FINALS PREVIEW
ATLANTA HAWKS VS. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER


In October, Oklahoma City began their defense of the NBA title against 29 other competitors. By April, there were only 15 teams left, each vying for the Thunder’s crown.

And then, there was only one.

The Atlanta Hawks (50-32) have emerged from the East, conference champions after battling adversity and taking down high-profile opposition. Atlanta made a statement in their opening round series, as the third seed methodically took down the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. After that, the Hawks made another statement—sending LeBron and the Heat packing in the quarterfinals. Atlanta defeated Miami in a decisive seventh game, heading into American Airlines Arena and silencing the home crowd. In the conference finals, the Hawks would repeat the feat, winning Game 7 in Boston to eliminate the top-seeded Celtics.

Mental toughness and depth have been the hallmarks of this Hawks squad. Winning two Game 7’s in Boston and Miami is hard enough. Doing so without key personnel, including star Josh Smith for much of the conference finals, is an even more impressive achievement. The Hawks have managed by boasting the deepest roster in the league. Joe Johnson has been in great form this postseason (24.2 PPG), but gets a lot of help from fellow starters Smith, Corey Maggette, Al Horford, and Jeff Teague. The bench is similarly strong for the Hawks, as Tayshaun Prince demonstrated with his 22-point performance in Game 7 of the conference finals. If Atlanta can continue to get the most out of its cohesive, balanced offense, then it could bring home its first title in 55 years and the first since moving to the ATL in 1968.


FLYING HIGH: Behind Joe Johnson, the Hawks defeated Boston and rose to new heights

The Oklahoma City Thunder (56-26) stand in the way, defending NBA champions after their victory in 2012. Last season, Kevin Durant put on one of the most dominant performances in basketball history to win the title, averaging 47.5 PPG in the Finals series to sweep the Bulls. It is hard to image the Hawks rolling over in a similar fashion this year, even with the Thunder’s core all returning from its championship run.

All-NBA Kevin Durant (first-team) and Russell Westbrook (third team) lead Oklahoma City into battle. They have already proven themselves this postseason with a sweep of the Suns, as well as 4-2 victories over the Spurs (quarterfinals) and Grizzlies (conference finals). Their fortunes will be boosted by an injury to Hawks forward Josh Smith and a healthy roster entering the Finals . If OKC can overcome their Eastern Conference foes, they will successfully repeat as champions and add a third title to the franchise trophy case.

“We can’t wait,” Durant told media prior to Game 1 in Oklahoma City. “Winning it once just makes you even hungrier. We’re ready.”


MASTERCLASS: In 2012, Kevin Durant became a legend. Will that legend grow with another ring?


PROBABLE STARTERS

THUNDER
PG Russell Westbrook
SG James Harden
SF Kevin Durant
PF Jeff Green
C Cole Aldrich

HAWKS
PG Jeff Teague
SG Joe Johnson
SF Corey Maggette
PF Sean Williams
C Al Horford

*PF Josh Smith out (sprained knee, 1-2 weeks)

Another sweep for Thunder

Hawks !

Goddam, this Hawks squad sucks. Still they are in the Finals. Surprising.

Goddam, this Hawks squad sucks. Still they are in the Finals. Surprising.

True, they don't have any LeBrons or Durants. However, Josh Smith and Joe Johnson were both All-Stars this year. Horford is also a top player at his position and Maggs is playing out of his mind. A solid bench also goes a long way, especially when Tayshaun Prince is in your second unit.

Results soon!

Been lurking as you've been hittin' us with updates, and I must say, you've done a great job with them. I would think that a Paul-Granger duo would make it farther than the first round, but as you say the Hawks' roster is better than what all of us give it credit for, I guess it makes sense. Hoping for some more 50-point games from Durant in the Finals like last season!

Been lurking as you've been hittin' us with updates, and I must say, you've done a great job with them. I would think that a Paul-Granger duo would make it farther than the first round, but as you say the Hawks' roster is better than what all of us give it credit for, I guess it makes sense. Hoping for some more 50-point games from Durant in the Finals like last season!

Thanks, Axel! That means a lot from a Hall of Famer. When OKC swept the Bulls last season, I definitely thought about your championship sweep with the Rockets. Thanks for the encouragement. As they say, it's about the journey, not the destination. Setbacks like this will make reaching the destination (an NBA title) that much sweeter.

2013 NBA FINALS
ATLANTA HAWKS VS. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
GAME 7 PREVIEW

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Will Thunder strike twice or will the Atlanta Hawks fly to new heights?

All questions will be answered tonight in Oklahoma City, as the basketball world gears up for Game 7 of the NBA Finals. OKC and ATL have each won their three home games in a highly-competitive Finals series. Now heading for its final act, the Larry O’Brien trophy will be handed out at Oklahoma City Arena. The only question is whether it will be a hometown celebration or another party spoiled by the Hawks.

The Hawks have already won two Game 7’s on the road this postseason. Their quarterfinals victory at Miami and conference finals triumph in Boston show that Atlanta is undaunted by the task ahead of them. Road teams have never fared well in championship Game 7’s, but if anybody can walk into the Thunder’s home and take the title away from Kevin Durant, it’s this deep and talented lineup. With a now-healthy Joe Smith returning from injury in Game 6, Atlanta has every opportunity to raise the championship trophy on enemy soil.

Meanwhile, the Thunder now find themselves only one victory away from a repeat title. OKC will like their odds, hosting Game 7 after coming off a series-saving victory in Game 6. Playing in the biggest game of their young lives, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant will be squarely in the spotlight and counted on to power the Thunder to victory.

Game 7. It’s all to play for. Next.

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Series Recap
Game 1: OKC 129-122 ATL
Thunder Take Series Opener
Durant (OKC): 29 pts, 6 reb
Green (OKC): 26 pts, 8 reb
J. Johnson (ATL): 35 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast

Game 2: OKC 100-76 ATL
Thunder Extend Series Lead, 2-0
Durant (OKC): 37 pts, 11 reb
Maggette (ATL) 18 pts, 9 reb

Game 3: ATL 121-110
Johnson Propels Hawks to Game 3 Victory
J. Johnson (ATL): 36 pts, 6 reb, 6 ast
Teague (ATL): 26 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast
Harden (OKC) 22 pts

Game 4: ATL 110-106 OKC
Hawks Even Series, 2-2
J. Johnson (ATL): 37 pts, 10 ast
Maggette (ATL): 29 pts
Durant (OKC): 30 pts, 11 reb

Game 5: ATL 111-85 OKC
Atlanta Wins Third Straight in Blowout, One Victory Away
Teague (ATL): 24 pts, 5 ast
J. Johnson (ATL): 21 pts, 7 reb, 9 ast
Durant (OKC): 27 pts, 12 reb

Game 6: OKC 120-109 ATL
Durant’s 49 Forces Game 7
Durant (OKC): 49 pts, 9 reb
J. Johnson (ATL): 34 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast
Maggette (ATL): 28 pts, 8 reb, 4 ast

Zaza's such a fool

Haha, nice update.

Honestly i didnt expect the Hawks had a chance against the Thunder but now? who knows.

Zaza's such a fool

Haha, without a doubt. I felt this was the best time I could ever use that clip

Haha, nice update.

Honestly i didnt expect the Hawks had a chance against the Thunder but now? who knows.

Anything can happen in one game. Results on Sunday!

My money would be on the Hawks. They seem like the underdogs so they should like win or so But who knows, who you think is going to win ?

My money would be on the Hawks. They seem like the underdogs so they should like win or so But who knows, who you think is going to win ?

I can't say, since the results are in and a champion has been crowned I'm just writing the article now and getting the video ready for YouTube.

Before the game, I really thought it could go either way, 50/50. One spoiler: there will be an unexpected hero.

It's my man Maggs and the Hawks, but Zaza makes the game-winner.

2013 NBA FINALS
ATLANTA HAWKS VS. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
GAME 7 RECAP



BACK TO BACK: The Thunder raise the NBA title (left) as Kevin Durant celebrates the victory (right)

A raucous home crowd spurred the Oklahoma City Thunder to victory in Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals, defeating the Atlanta Hawks, 110-101. The win secures back-to-back championships for the Thunder, who now find themselves on the cusp of a dynasty.

Surprisingly, the hero of the evening was James Harden, who led the Thunder with 29 points and made up for Kevin Durant’s lackluster shooting night. Harden, who is Oklahoma’s third option behind Durant and Russell Westbrook, is up for free agency this offseason. If this was Harden’s final game in a Thunder uniform, then he certainly saved his most memorable performance for last.

Atlanta’s Joe Johnson also put in a valiant effort in the loss. His game-high 31 points capped a great series for the often-underrated star, keeping his team close after a 25-25 first quarter.

Despite Johnson and the Hawks’ efforts, the Thunder were able to open a 54-45 lead by halftime and held a comfortable advantage for most of the second half. As confetti fell from the arena rafters, Oklahoma City rejoiced in their consecutive titles, bearing witness to the growing legacy of Kevin Durant and already dreaming of a three-peat next June.


HERO HARDEN: James Harden's 29 points were crucial on the evening, coming through in the biggest game of his life


GAME 7: OKC 110-101 ATL
Harden (OKC): 29 pts,
Durant (OKC): 18 pts, 11 reb
Johnson (ATL): 31 pts

Finals MVP: Kevin Durant

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Wish Harden perform like that in my story

Whoa! Was that Rick Adelman who was coaching the Thunder? Great to see him finally reach that level of success.

Wish Harden perform like that in my story

Haha, well he really stepped up here. I'm sure he'll come through for you against the Spurs

Whoa! Was that Rick Adelman who was coaching the Thunder? Great to see him finally reach that level of success.

It is, good eye! He came in after Scott Brooks left. Brooks went to the Grizzlies and is now Coach of the Year there. Ironically, he took Memphis all the way to the conference finals, only to get knocked out by his former team, the Thunder.

I won't give away too much about the offseason, but one of the major storylines will be coaching changes around the league. No names given away, but some big news coming

Looking forward to 2014, i hope you can do the next step.

I think the East is the tougher conference in your story, but maybe your Cavs can surprise this year.