Phoenix Suns versus San Antonio Spurs

If Joe Johnson misses more than one game, the advantage will be heavily with San Antonio, but if he is in the line-up by Game 2 and is effective, then this will become one of the most even match Conference Finals series in recent memory.

It is unlikely that Steve Nash will be able to run wild as he did against Dallas.  Nash likes to drive slowly along the baseline and then comes around, but the Spurs will glue a foot on that baseline, forcing him into traffic and then he will be positioned to turn the ball over if he can?t find Stoudemire or Marion.

The two things that make this series so difficult to handicap are the injuries to Joe Johnson and Tim Duncan.

Johnson?s eye still looks like it is almost swollen shut, which will greatly throw off his line of perception on outside shots, making the 3-point part of his game null and void.  He will be effective on the defensive end, where he can use his size to contain Manu Ginobili.

Robert Horry, as always, will find a way to hit a big shot when it matter most, but Jimmy Jackson was a vital midseason acquisition for the Suns and is equally capable, though less notorious.

Prediction: Suns in 7 if Johnson is healthy, Spurs in 6 if Johnson isn?t healthy, Suns in 5 if Duncan isn?t healthy.

Miami Heat versus Detroit Pistons

This series, which people were penciling in on their brackets back in December, will be won or lost by Miami?s ability to not let themselves be denied regularly be the Pistons? defense.

The Pistons feel that they are equipped to contain Shaq, as they did in last season?s NBA Finals.  They will then apply the Jordan/Kobe rules o Dwyane Wade.  

Miami is undefeated and Detroit has yet to it their stride, but both teams will come to each other here.  Outside of Shaq, Detroit has much more experience in big games and know exactly what is needed to win a championship.

As Shaq has been pacing himself, he has been filling in Wade and Damon Jones on what it takes, but until you?re on the floor when you?re one step away from the NBA?s biggest stage, you can never be sure how you will play.  

Wade has more poise than any other player his age in the NBA and does not get rattled, even if he has TayShaun Prince guarding him, but though he won?t be rattled, he will be surely taken out of his game.

Prediction: Pistons in 6.