The Miami Heat had extra rest, were at home and are better than the banged up Boston Celtics. That all played out exactly to script in Game 1 of the 2012 NBA Playoff Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics kept it close in the first half and then ran out of gas. The 93-79 home win for the Heat gives them a 1-0 lead in the series with Game 2 in Miami on Wednesday.
In the Western Conference Finals, the San Antonio Spurs are also the older team, but they are deeper and healthier than Boston. That showed in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder with their ability to close a fourth quarter gap with bench play and then close out the game on the back of Manu Ginobili.
Game 2: Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on TNT
Neither of these teams played great in Game 1 and yet it was a great game. Both should be sharper with their shots which could make for a real thriller in Game 2.
Here's the remaining schedule for the 2012 NBA Playoff Western Conference Finals Series (all times in ET):
Game 3: Thursday, May 31 at Oklahoma City, 9:00 p.m. ET
Game 4: Saturday, June 2 at Oklahoma City, 9:00 p.m. ET
Game 5: Monday, June 5 at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. ET*
Game 6: Wednesday, June 6 Oklahoma City, 9:00 p.m. ET*
Game 7: Friday, June 9 at San Antonio, 9:00 p.m. ET*
Here's the remaining schedule for the 2012 NBA Playoff Eastern Conference Finals Series (all times in ET):
Game 2: Wednesday, May 30 at Miami, 8:30 p.m.
Game 3: Friday, June 1 at Boston, 8:30 p.m.
Game 4: Sunday, June 3 at Boston, 8:30 p.m.
Game 5: Tuesday, June 5 at Miami, 8:30 p.m.*
Game 6: Thursday, June 7 at Boston, 8:30 p.m.*
Game 7: Saturday, June 9 at Miami, 8:30 p.m.*
For more on the Spurs, visit Pounding The Rock. while Thunder fans should visit Welcome To Loud City. Celtics homers can head over to Celtics Blog, while for more on the Heat check out Peninsula Is Mightier.
