2012 NBA Finals matchups

Heat point guard: (15) Mario Chalmers 6-2, 4th yr
Chalmers isn't a true point guard in the sense of running the Heat's offense because most of the time it is initiated by either Dwyane Wade or LeBron James. His real value is as a 3-point shooter. His primary focus in this series must be containing Westbrook. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press) / SA

Heat point guard: (15) Mario Chalmers 6-2, 4th yr
Cha...

Thunder point guard: (0) Russell Westbrook 6-3, 4th yr
Westbrook's turnovers per game have dropped significantly from the regular season to the last series, and that's huge because it means he isn't forcing things in crunch time. Chalmers can't stay in front of him on the pick-and-roll, and that's going to occupy some of Wade's attention. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News) / SA

Thunder point guard: (0) Russell Westbrook 6-3, 4th yr
...

Heat shooting guard: (3) Dwyane Wade 6-4, 9th yr
Wade was doubled against the Celtics. The Thunder will rely on Sefolosha solo on Wade and see how effective he is. That?s going to make Wade a more important piece of the Heat?s offensive game plan. He?ll need to help in defending Westbrook, too. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) / SA

Heat shooting guard: (3) Dwyane Wade 6-4, 9th yr
Wade...

Thunder shooting guard: (2) Thabo Sefolosha 6-7, 6th yr
Scott Brooks? decision to give Sefolosha the defensive assignment on Tony Parker changed the dynamics of the Western Conference finals. If he does half as good on Wade, it won?t matter if he scores a single point. He?s shown he can score, too, and when he does, they?re tough to beat. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News) / SA

Thunder shooting guard: (2) Thabo Sefolosha 6-7, 6th yr

Heat small forward: (6) LeBron James 6-8, 9th yr
Any game that comes down to a shootout between James, fresh off one of the best playoff performances in NBA history, and Durant is apt to go to the player with the fewest offensive flaws. James? subpar playoff free-throw shooting might be the difference. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press) / SA

Heat small forward: (6) LeBron James 6-8, 9th yr
Any ...

Thunder small forward: (35) Kevin Durant 6-9, 5th yr
His play vs. the Spurs answered every question about his ability to close games and even showed a link to Michael Jordan, first getting teammates involved before taking over himself. His foul shooting (92.7 percent vs. Spurs; 86.9 pct. in 15 playoff games) is what gives him the edge in this matchup. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News) / SA

Thunder small forward: (35) Kevin Durant 6-9, 5th yr
...

Heat power forward: (1) Chris Bosh 6-11, 9th yr
His return from injury helped them get past the Celtics. It?s his ability to stretch the Thunder defense with mid-range jumpers that makes him a key player in this series, because getting Ibaka away from the basket will make the paint more hospitable for Wade and James. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) / SA

Heat power forward: (1) Chris Bosh 6-11, 9th yr
His r...

Thunder power forward: (9) Serge Ibaka 6-10, 3rd yr
His ability to change shots, as well as block them, makes him a potential force in the Finals because of the importance of Wade?s and James? drives to the basket. He?s a better mid-range shooter than most believe, though his 11-for-11 game against the Spurs likely made the Heat well aware. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News) / SA

Thunder power forward: (9) Serge Ibaka 6-10, 3rd yr
H...

Heat center: (40) Udonis Haslem 6-8, 9th yr
He?s had his streak shooting moments in these playoffs, but he?s mostly a shorter, skinnier version of Perkins: A solid defender and rebounder who picks up garbage buckets. The Heat might use him to pull Perkins out of the paint occasionally. (Doug Benc / Getty Images) / SA

Heat center: (40) Udonis Haslem 6-8, 9th yr
He???s ha...

Thunder center: (5) Kendrick Perkins 6-10, 9th yr
He?s considered one of the league?s best interior defenders and defensive rebounders, but the Heat don?t rely on post scoring at all, so his greatest value is slightly marginalized in this series. He should be able to get some garbage baskets against Haslem. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News) / SA

Thunder center: (5) Kendrick Perkins 6-10, 9th yr
He?...

Heat coach: Erik Spoelstra, 4th season
Spoelstra never really seems like he?s in charge when games are on the line, but allowing James and Wade to do something ? anything ? to win close games isn?t a terrible strategy. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press) / SA

Heat coach: Erik Spoelstra, 4th season
Spoelstra neve...

Thunder coach: Scott Brooks, 4th season
Brooks changed the dynamics of the Spurs series by destroying Tiago Splitter?s confidence with intentional fouls and taking some of Tony Parker?s aggression away by making him get past Sefolosha instead of Westbrook. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News) / SA

Thunder coach: Scott Brooks, 4th season
Brooks change...

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