Key to Miami Three-Peat: Chris Bosh, Miami Heat, C
While LeBron James is the best player in the league and the team is always better when Dwayne Wade is healthy, Chris Bosh is the key to Miami's success. Last year when Bosh struggled, the Heat had a very tough time against both the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs. However, the year before when Bosh played brilliantly, the Heat won with relative ease. Bosh will always be the key to the Heat as long LeBron is still on the team.
Breakout Player in the East: Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors, G
Lowry reminds me a lot of Stephen Curry last year. A high scoring point guard who is the team's best player yet was snubbed for the All-Star Game. Lowry averaged about 18 points per game and 8 assists per game this year. If the Raptors beat the Nets, expect Lowry to make a name for himself in that series and then also star in the Eastern Conference Semis, possibly against Miami.
Breakout Player in the West: Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets, G
Beverley is a high energy player. His motor never stops. Not only that, he fits very well into the Rockets offense. Even though he is the point guard, he does not need the ball to be successful. When it's crunch time, expect Beverley to make a play on offense or defense and as a result, become a household name.
X-Factor in the East: George Hill, Indiana Pacers, G
Hill has struggled for the Pacers this year. After a great season last year, almost all of his numbers have dipped. However, he can make up for it if he returns to the player he was last year in the playoffs. The Pacers need production from the point guard position and Hill is the only one who could bring the needed production.
X-Factor in the West: Robin Lopez, Portland Trailblazers, C
Lopez's season has been fantastic. He averaged 11.5 points per game, 7.5 rebounds per game, and 1.4 blocks per game. He also had 9.5 Win Shares (19th in the NBA), .178 Win Shares per 48 minutes (19th), 128.1 Offensive Rating (1st), 13.6% Offensive Rebound Percentage (4th), and a .606 True Shooting Percentage (8th). Those are numbers of a great player, yet Lopez is in the shadow of Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. While Lopez will not be in the spotlight, he will play well and the Trailblazers will be better with him on the floor.
WEST
1. San Antonio over 8. Dallas
2. Oklahoma City over 7. Memphis
3. Los Angeles over 6. Golden State
4. Houston over 5. Portland
4. Houston over 1. San Antonio
2. Oklahoma City over 3. Los Angeles
2. Oklahoma City over 4. Houston
EAST
1. Indiana over. 8. Atlanta
2. Miami over 7. Charlotte
6. Brooklyn over 3. Toronto
4. Chicago over 5. Washington
4. Chicago over. 1. Indiana
2. Miami over 6. Brooklyn
2. Miami over 4. Chicago
NBA FINALS
Miami over Oklahoma City
