NBA Playoffs - Weekend Preview

Dallas Mavericks at Oklahoma City Thunder – Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET

The Thunder tied the series up with Thursday’s 106-100 win in Dallas, stealing home-court advantage in the series. Kevin Durant led the team with 24 points but, more importantly, his teammates provided some support. James Harden scored 23 of the club’s 50 points off the bench.

Despite the high of a win, however, the Thunder have some lingering questions to answer. Scotty Brooks benched Russell Westbrook for the entire fourth quarter, and Westbrook—who sometimes regards himself as the Thunder’s best player—did not take it lightly. He’s saying all the right things for now, but it remains to be seen how he’ll react in Game 3, especially when Brooks gives him some flak.

Dallas, meanwhile, needs to bounce back. Dirk Nowitzki continued his tear, scoring 29 points, but his teammates didn’t carry their weight. Dallas’ bench outscored Oklahoma City’s reserves 53-22 in Game 1, but that was flipped to a 50-29 Thunder advantage in Game 2.

This series is shaping up nicely and the keys seem pretty obvious. Durant and Nowitzki are going to play well night in, night out. Whichever superstar gets the biggest helping hand from his teammates will come away with the win.

Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat – Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET

Chicago cruised to a 103-82 victory in Game 1, largely thanks to the struggles of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Miami turned it around with an 85-75 win in Game 2 but, while James and Wade played much better, it was a role player who might have made the biggest difference.

Udonis Haslem missed most of Miami’s season with a foot injury. He’s just easing back into action now, having played just seven minutes over the past three games, but Haslem was absolutely crucial in Game 2. He racked up 13 points in 23 minutes and was a physical presence on the glass, finishing with five rebounds. The Heat were crushed 45-33 on the glass in Game 1, including 19-6 on the offensive boards. Haslem looks like a difference-maker in that department.

With James (29 points, 10 rebounds) and Wade (24 points, nine rebounds) bouncing back in Game 2, there’s increasing pressure on Derrick Rose to carry the Bulls. He didn’t have it on Wednesday, going 7-for-23 from the field. Rose makes the offense tick, while the rest of his teammates need to play great defense and control the boards.