Kevin Durant scored 28 points in the Thunder's 103-87 defat of the Heat in March.
By Alonzo Adams, AP
By Richard Rowe, US Presswire
Miami's Dwyane Wade, left, and Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, middle, will be two important backcourt performers in the NBA Finals.
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The Heat boast three-time MVP LeBron James, seeking his first title, and fellow All-Stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Thunder counter with three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant, athletic point guard Russell Westbrook and James Harden, the NBA's sixth man of the year.
USA TODAY Sports breaks down all the important matchups between the two teams and offers its prediction for which team will wear the crown:
Centers
Heat: The position has been a revolving door, withRonny Turiaf, Joel Anthony and Dexter Pittman all starting playoff games. Udonis Haslem, a natural power forward, has held the role most recently. He's a strong rebounder who can knock down open jump shots, but he's undersized at center.
Thunder: Kendrick Perkins is in a tough position again this series. He's best suited to bang in the post, but the Heat don't rely on their centers for offense. Perkins might find himself sidelined, as he occasionally did vs. the San Antonio Spurs, in favor of smaller lineups.
Advantage: Thunder
Power forwards
Heat: Shane Battier took over for Bosh during the latter's three-week injury absence and provided the Heat with solid defense and streaky shooting. Bosh is back, but the Heat might stick with Battier to use Bosh as a bench weapon and spread the Thunder's defense.
Thunder: Serge Ibaka's offense is catching up to his defense. The NBA's top shot-blocker is a thundering finisher at the rim and can hit open jump shots. Bosh's and Battier's shooting range could limit Ibaka's control of the paint on defense.
Advantage: Thunder
Small forwards
Heat: James has three of the past four NBA MVPs, and he was dominant in the Eastern Conference finals. James does everything well, and he is Miami's best scorer, passer, rebounder and defender. James struggled last season in the NBA Finals and received intense criticism for his crunchtime failings.
Thunder: Durant has won the past three NBA scoring titles, and if there's a player capable of knocking James off his perch, it's him. Because of his 7-5 wingspan, great leaping ability and high release, Durant's jump shot is unblockable.
Advantage: Heat
Shooting guards
Heat: Wade was the 2006 Finals MVP. He is capable of taking over a game when necessary. But he has struggled, especially in first halves, this postseason. His best role might be initiating the offense.
Thunder: Thabo Sefolosha is a proven defensive stopper who will spend time on James and Wade. But he showed during the West finals that he can make open jump shots and even drive to the basket.
Advantage: Heat
Point guards
Heat: Mario Chalmers plays well off the ball, an essential skill next to James and Wade. But he's erratic as a shooter and slasher, and he rarely defends elite point guards because of his average quickness.
Thunder: Westbrook is, with the Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose, one of the NBA's most athletic point guards. He can get frazzled and fall into bad shooting habits, but he has kept those under control in the playoffs.
Advantage: Thunder
Reserves
Heat: Bosh was the only Heat reserve to score in Game 7 of the East finals, and he (or Battier) will be the key for Miami's bench. Mike Miller and Norris Cole are capable but streaky scorers, and Anthony provides defensive muscle but little else.
Thunder: Harden won the NBA's sixth man of the year title and generally plays more than 30 minutes a game. Veterans Nick Collison, at center, and Derek Fisher, at guard, provide stability for a young team.
Advantage: Thunder
Coach
Heat: Critics say Erik Spoelstra is behind schedule, but Heat President Pat Riley, a Hall of Fame coach, is a backer. Spoelstra, 41, has his players' support and showed he can be a disciplinarian by yelling at Wade on the sideline in a playoff game.
Thunder: Scott Brooks has coached all but 13 of the franchise's games since the team relocated from Seattle in 2008, and he has earned a reputation as a team builder because of his rapid success. Brooks, 46, is known as a player's coach who teaches strong defense.
Advantage: Thunder
X factor
Heat: Bosh, James and Wade have been under the microscope since uniting before last season, and the criticism peaked after the 2011 Finals. How they perform in a repeat trip will be crucial. In the past 40 seasons, teams are 7-3 in the NBA Finals one season after losing in them.
Thunder: Oklahoma City has been one year away for three years. Now, they're here. The Thunder's youth — Durant and Westbrook are 23, and Harden and Ibaka are 22 — belies their experience, but how they play together will dictate their success.
Advantage: Heat
Predictions
Winner: Thunder in seven games
Finals MVP: Durant
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