2012 NBA playoff semifinals: Can the veterans turn back the upstarts?

The 2012 NBA semifinal playoff series involves many contrasts – in strategy, team compatibility and outright athletic ability. But probably the most important contrast is cumulative league experience versus relative youth and inexperience. Having “been there before” is a powerful addition to the plus column for judging how a team will perform under playoff pressure. Like other generalizations, this can seem simplistic; but history has shown it’s not without precedent or merit. Below is a thumbnail preview of three semifinal matchups that by and large will pit one such team against another.

1. Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

The buzz Monday was that one of the Miami Heat's Big Three is out "indefinitely." Without Chris Bosh, can the Miami Heat continue to take it offensively to the Indiana Pacers for 48 minutes, the way they did Sunday? The short answer: Yes. The Heat’s big three of Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James can score from anywhere – on the perimeter or on the inside – and have been highly successful at getting the Pacers into foul trouble. This was particularly evident in game one, where after playing the Heat basically into the middle of the fourth quarter, had to let up on the gas because their big men – including forward Paul George, guard George Hill, and center Roy Hibbert each had five fouls with several minutes remaining. Indiana power forward Danny Granger was harassed all afternoon by LeBron James, and that’s a major reason why he hit only one of 10 field goals. He needs to be more productive if Indiana wants any kind of chance to take this series.

The Heat relied heavily on James and Wade in the second half, and they responded by turning a six-point deficit at the half into a nine-point win. Together, they combined for 61 points and were able to stem the tide created by the absence of Chris Bosh, who left the game with an abdominal strain before the end of the second quarter. James and Wade are both lethal with the basketball in the open court, and this will present ongoing problems for Indiana. However, Bosh’s return is important to the Heat’s fortunes; without him, Indiana could draw this series out to six or maybe even seven games. On the other hand, with Bosh in the lineup, Indiana will be fortunate to win two games. With or without Bosh, Miami, with its playoff hardened and deep lineup, will advance.

2. San Antonio Spurs vs. the Los Angeles Clippers

San Antonio, led by the ageless Tim Duncan, has been playing exceptional basketball over the past month. Duncan and guards Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have played together for what seems like forever and form a synchronized and disciplined core unit. Add personnel like eleven-year veteran forward Stephen Jackson and former Florida Gators star forward/center Matt Bonner, and you have a depth that is hard to equal in the league. Coach Greg Popovich has always been a master at motivation and his team is always focused come playoff time. The fact that San Antonio has won 14 consecutive games, including a four-game blowout of Utah in the first round playoff is a testament to this team’s resolve.

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