2012 NBA Finals - Thunder vs. Heat / Celtics

[ljbab728]

I would hate to fall into the trap of thinking too far ahead but it might be interesting to start looking at a potential matchup in the Finals. It looks like Boston is following OKC's script in their series with the Heat. They can win the East with a win at home on Thursday. Am I correct that an OKC - Boston matchup would give the Thunder home court advantage?

[CCOKC]

We would have home court versus either team. The first game is Tuesday the 12th in either OKC or San Antonio.

[Pete]

As fans, we don't have to play the game so we can think whatever we want!

I'm super excited because I'll be in OKC during most the finals and it's almost too much to hope that we'll still be playing. But I've really got my hopes up now.

[ljbab728]

I hope you could get tickets, Pete. You sure won't be watching the games in Thunder Alley. LOL

[CCOKC]

I'm just glad I am a season ticket holder and don't have to worry about where I am going to be for all of the games. I am too nervous to predict the winner tomorrow night. I have been an NBA fan since 1979 and just cannot believe I get to see a future hall of famer play with my own eyes. Believe me, I know what a good thing that this community has been blessed with.

[Bellaboo]

I'm just glad I am a season ticket holder and don't have to worry about where I am going to be for all of the games. I am too nervous to predict the winner tomorrow night. I have been an NBA fan since 1979 and just cannot believe I get to see a future hall of famer play with my own eyes. Believe me, I know what a good thing that this community has been blessed with.

We are so lucky, we could be doing this (finals) for several years to come. I too am a season ticket holder, and I'm trying not to be overly optomistic for tonight.....

[SoonerDave]

Hey, this is an awesome time for OKC. I must admit I *never*, repeat *never* thought OKC would ever have a pro sports franchise, let alone have a truly authentic shot at a championship title. Unbelievable.

And for those of you who have tickets, hold on to those things like gold, because they may be the hardest ticket around since OU-Texas!! Tried to put out some feelers for some as a surprise to my kiddo and there just aren't any to be had (clarifying that the $8,500 floor seats on stubhub are out of my budget

ThunderUp!

[Pete]

Hey, this is an awesome time for OKC. I must admit I *never*, repeat *never* thought OKC would ever have a pro sports franchise, let alone have a truly authentic shot at a championship title. Unbelievable.

I will admit to thinking the same way about OKC never being able to get or support a pro team.

And now we are legitimate contenders for a world title... I still sometimes have a hard time believing it.

[Lord Helmet]

Ugh. You guys better not be jinxing us!

[Pete]

I know, there is still this dark fear we are setting ourselves up for disappointment.

Still, I wouldn't bet against us.

[SoonerBoy18]

I mist admit, I was a Laker fan before I knew Oklahoma City Thunder was actually an NBA team, I use to think they were some D-league team, up until we played the Lakers in the 1st round of the 2010 playoffs. After the Lakers beat us that year, I went back to supporting the Lakers until they won their title. I didnt no much about the NBA since it was my first time ever watching it but for some reason I hated the Boston Celtics, and I still cant believe we are one win away from playing THEM (Boston, a team whos been there and done it). I am so happy for our team and our city.

[Matt]

Let's do this. Again.

[Dustin]

FINALS FINALS FINALS FINALS!! OMG OMG OMG! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! I'm so excited!

[Pete]

Unbelievable.

Incredible.

Fantastic.

[ljbab728]

OK, so now do we hope for playing tradition (Celtics) or stars (Miami) in the finals?

[Dustin]

I'm wearing my Thunder shirt to work tomorrow. I don't care what anyone says...

[ljbab728]

I think I tend more toward the Celtics instead of watching Labron.

[Easy180]

Fine either way...Would rather watch a Heat-Thunder matchup but think it would be easier to beat another OLD team

[Matt]

Here’s the schedule. All times are Central, and every game will be shown on ABC.

Game 1: Tues., June 12 - Boston/Miami at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
Game 2: Thurs., June 14 - Boston/Miami at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
Game 3: Sun., June 17 - Oklahoma City at Boston/Miami, 7 p.m.
Game 4: Tues., June 19 - Oklahoma City at Boston/Miami, 8 p.m.
*Game 5: Thurs., June 21 - Oklahoma City at Boston/Miami, 8 p.m.
*Game 6: Sun., June 24 - Boston/Miami at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.
*Game 7: Tues., June 26 - Boston/Miami at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

[ljbab728]

This could certainly change but the latest odds I saw for winning the championship are:

OKC - 1/1
Miami - 13/4
Boston - 9/2

http://www.betvega.com/odds-to-win-nba-championship/


All of the the TNT talking heads are basically picking OKC. Shaq says the world want to see KD versus Lebron.

[Matt]

Season record against the Celtics:

Jan. 16 - OKC 97, BOS 88
Feb. 22 - BOS 104, OKC 119 (DNP: Rondo)

And the Heat:

Mar. 25 - MIA 87, OKC 103
Apr. 4 - OKC 93, MIA 98

[ljbab728]

A limited number of tickets for first two games go on sale on Saturday.

http://www.koco.com/sports/thunder/N...w/-/index.html

[ljbab728]

Current ESPN poll.

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/polls?pCat=46&sCat=3058

58% favoring Boston to face OKC.

69% favoring OKC to take the title.

54% rooting for OKC to take the title. (Who would have ever thought that?) The only states not for the Thunder are Florida (no surprise), Kentucky, West Virginia, and the New England states.

Even the state of Washington is rooting for the Thunder.

[Spartan]

People love the little engine that could. I think OKC, the smallest yet most successful market in the NBA, also has arguably the most exciting and entertaining brand of basketball in the league right now. The young guns are riveting.

[Matt]

Random Tweets of note. . .

Marc Stein ‏@ESPNSteinLine
If Thunder win Game 6, they'll have beaten West's last three champions to reach NBA Finals. Elias says that's never happened

Royce Young ‏@dailythunder
The Thunder went through the Mavericks, the Lakers and the Spurs. Also known as the last 13 Western Conference champions.

John Hollinger ‏@johnhollinger
So, if 94.2% of teams up 2-0 advance, it means cumulative probability of OKC-Bos Finals was 0.3% -- that's 3-in-1,000 -- on Thursday.

Numbers Never Lie ‏@ESPN_Numbers
3 = the Thunder are only the 3rd team in NBA history to win 4 straight games in the conference finals after trailing 2-0.