2012 NBA Christmas Day Preview

James Harden singing Jingle Bells is just one of the joys of five NBA games on Christmas Day. (TotalProSports.com)

Christmas Day has almost arrived, which means a great day of NBA matchups will be on ABC and ESPN. I will preview what to watch for in each game. Merry Christmas to all!

Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets  - 12:00 PM EST, ESPN
The Celtics will travel to Brooklyn to take on the Nets in a budding Atlantic Division rivalry. The premier matchup of this game will be the point guards, Rajon Rondo of the Celtics and Deron Williams of the Nets. Rondo is averaging 14.3 points and 11.1 assists in December while shooting 52 percent from the field. Meanwhile, Williams is having a down year as he tries to find his role with his newly formed team. He is shooting just 40 percent from the field and 30 percent from behind the arc. Williams is still averaging 16.8 points and 8.1 assists a game. There's also a player on each team who is capable of taking the game over. The Celtics' Paul Pierce has been superb lately and is averaging 23.8 points per game in December. Joe Johnson has emerged as the go to guy for the Nets. He scored 22 points in their win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers - 3:00 PM EST, ABC
Both teams have been two of the NBA's biggest surprises. The Knicks have emerged as of the league's top teams behind great three-point shooting. The Lakers have struggled to come together as a team, but they will benefit from Steve Nash's return from injury. This game features some great matchups. The Knicks' Carmelo Anthony and the Lakers' Kobe Bryant are two of the league's top scorers. Anthony is scoring 33.7 points and shooting 50 percent from the field in his last 10 games. Meanwhile, Bryant is averaging 33.8 points per game since the start of December. Another intriguing matchup will be two of the league's top centers. Dwight Howard is in his first season with the Lakers, while Tyson Chandler anchors the Knicks' defense. Howard has struggled a bit recently, averaging just 15.1 points per game in his past five games. As the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Chandler will look to shut him down.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat - 5:30 PM EST, ABC
This is probably the most anticipated matchup of any of the Christmas Day games, featuring a rematch of last season's NBA Finals. This is the first meeting between these two teams this season, and the Thunder will be looking for revenge. As if you couldn't figure it on your own, the premier matchup in this game is obviously the NBA's top two players Kevin Durant of the Thunder and LeBron James of the Heat. Durant is averaging 27.9 points and 8.4 rebounds this season, while James is putting up 25.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists a game. The defensive matchup between the two will be intriguing as well. They will most likely be guarding one another for the majority of the game. The Heat will have the home crowd at their back, but the Thunder experienced what that was like last summer.

Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls - 8:00 PM EST, ESPN
These two teams may not appear to be two of the NBA's top teams, but both have played surprisingly well given their circumstances. The Rockets weren't expected to compete for a spot in the playoffs at all. However, a preseason trade has changed everything. James Harden, the centerpiece of the trade with the Thunder, has averaged 25.6 points and 5.6 assists a game as a starter in Houston. He has emerged as one of the league's top shooting guards right now. Meanwhile, the Bulls have kept winning, even without one of the NBA's top players. A number of players have stepped up in Derrick Rose's absence. Joakim Noah is averaging 13.5 points and 10.6 seen rebounds while Luol Deng leads the team in scoring with 17.8 points per game. They have helped the Bulls remain competitive while they wait for their superstar to return.

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers - 10:30 PM EST, ESPN
The Clippers are one of the NBA's hottest teams right now. The Clippers' offense is led by Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. Paul runs the show with 16.1 points and 9.6 assists per game. In the post, Griffin is averaging 18.3 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. The Clippers also have an elite defense that allows opponents to score just 91.6 points per game, which is fourth best in the NBA. The Nuggets are one of the most balanced teams in the league. Ty Lawson is one of the fastest players in the NBA and pushes the tempo of the offense. He loves to facilitate the ball to his teammates, such as Danilo Gallinari, Andre Iguodala and Corey Brewer. Lawson did strain his left Achilles in Sunday's game and is listed as questionable for tomorrow's game. If he is indeed out or not 100 percent, it would be a huge blow to the Nuggets' chances.

James, Wade, & Chalmers Lead Heat to 3-1 Lead in Finals

LeBron James is helped off the court late in the 4th quarter. (Lynne Sladky)

Trailing two games to one going into tonight's Game 4, the Oklahoma City Thunder knew how big a win would be here. There were definite things that looked like they were going to make that win a reality. First, the Thunder came out strong from the opening tip. They built a lead early, and it was a 14-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Next, Russell Westbrook had one of the greatest performances in NBA Finals history. Despite receiving so much criticism, Westbrook went off scoring 43 points, while adding seven rebounds and five assists. Lastly, LeBron James was injured late in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a leg cramp. Shortly afterwards, the Thunder gained the lead. All signs looked good for the Thunder.

However, it wasn't over just yet. After receiving treatment, James returned to the floor with the Heat trailing 94-92. A turnover by Westbrook gave the ball back to the Heat. Dwyane Wade found Chris Bosh for the layup to tie the game up. Westbrook missed a contested jump shot the next time down the floor for the Thunder. The next Heat possession, James rose up and buried a three pointer to give the Heat the 97-94 lead. After the made shot, James hobbled down the court to play defense. A Thunder turnover by Kevin Durant lead to an easy basket for Wade. Even though the lead was only five, you could feel that it almost certainly over. Sure enough, more poor decisions by the Thunder lead to the Heat winning Game 4 104-98 and taking a 3-1 lead in the series.

If you are a Thunder fan, you have to be truly disappointed. Up until the NBA Finals, the young Thunder team would not allow their inexperience and youth to be detrimental to their play. That is no longer the case. In all three losses to the Heat, the Thunder's poor execution down the stretch has been their pitfall. Poor shot selection. Poor clock management. Not knowing whether to foul or not. These are elementary principles that the Thunder simply are not remembering. James Harden has displayed cowardice, rather than energy off the bench. As a matter fact, anyone not named Westbrook or Durant have yet to step up as needed. If the Thunder have even a miniscule chance of coming back to win this series, they must execute down the stretch immensely better.

If you are a Heat fan, you obviously have to be thrilled. LeBron James showed why he is a true star. I am not a Lebron fan at all, but his performance after the injury was impressive. He displayed grit to play through the pain and showed that he can hit a big shot with that three he nailed to give the Heat the lead for good. James finished with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists. Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers each added 25 points of their own. I have said it before and I will say it again. I have to give props to Chalmers. His performance in the playoffs has been very underappreciated. I believe that the Heat would not be where they are right not if not for the efforts of Chalmers. The Heat are just one win away from being NBA Champions. If they keep doing what they have been doing, they should be in pretty good shape.

NBA Finals Preview & Prediction

The NBA Finals, featuring the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder, is set to begin tomorrow night at 9:00 PM EST on ABC. My preview will look at the matchup position by position to see who has the advantage. I will conclude with my pre-series prediction.

Point Guard Matchup: Russell Westbrook & Mario Chalmers

Heat: Mario Chalmers

Chalmers has had some big moments for the Heat this postseason. In my opinion, they wouldn't be in the Finals without him. His ability to drive to the basket means he can't be neglected defensively. Chalmers does seem to get under LeBron's skin at times, so their camaraderie is something to keep an eye on.

Thunder: Russell Westbrook

Westbrook is ultra athletic and as volatile a scorer as point guards come. He has become more of an efficient shooter this season and even more so in the playoffs,  where he is shooting 43.6% from the field and averaging 21.7 points per game. Westbrook's ability to attack the rim is noteworthy as well.

Advantage: Thunder

Shooting Guard Matchup: Thabo Sefolosha & Dwyane Wade

Heat: Dwyane Wade

When Wade is at his best, he is among the most dangerous guards in the league. However, he has been wildly inconsistent this postseason. Wade is still averaging 22.9 points per game, but has disappointed at times, especially down the stretch. I think the Heat would be even happier with consistency from their star.

Thunder: Thabo Sefolosha

Sefolosha is considered to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. His athletic 6-7 frame allows him to matchup with the other team's best player. Not known for his offensive game, he can make the open three on occasion. He has made 36.8% from behind the arc in the playoffs.

Advantage: Heat

Small Forward Matchup: Kevin Durant & LeBron James

Heat: LeBron James

LeBron has proved himself so far in the playoffs. His performance in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals was a series-changer. In the postseason, James is averaging 30.8 points per game, 9.6 rebounds per game, and 5.1 assists per game. Needless to say, there is a reason he won league MVP this season.

Thunder: Kevin Durant

Durant's 28.0 points per game during the regular season earned him his third consecutive scoring title. He is a supreme athlete and has the dual package ability of being able to effortlessly attack the rim and drain most any jumper. No player means more to his team's success than Durant.

Advantage: None

Power Forward Matchup: Chris Bosh & Serge Ibaka

Heat: Chris Bosh

Without Bosh in the lineup, the Celtics were able worry less about the Heat big men and were free to double up Wade or James. However, Bosh appears to be healthy, especially after his performance in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals (19 points and 8 rebounds). If Bosh is truly healthy, I expect him to return to the starting lineup for the Heat and to play a significant role in the post in the series.

Thunder: Serge Ibaka

Ibaka led the NBA in blocks this season averaging 3.65 per game. Due to his emergence as a top shot-blocker and post defender, he finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Ibaka burst onto the national scene with his breakout performance in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals (26 points on 11-11 shooting from the field.). He is still a young, developing player and will continue to flourish and improve.

Advantage: Heat (if Bosh is healthy)

Center Matchup: Udonis Haslem & Kendrick Perkins

Heat: Udonis Haslem

Haslem's ability to crash the boards is what the Heat love about him. He had a couple big games in that department against the Celtics, but he also had some where he didn't seem to show up. The Heat need Haslem to step up and take control of the glass in a big way.

Thunder: Kendrick Perkins

Bringing championship experience, Perkins is a hardworking post presence who is a solid rebounder and defender. He did have a breakout game against the Heat during the regular season (16 points). Perkins' emotional nature will look to help propel the Thunder to victory.

Advantage: None

Bench Matchup: James Harden & Shane Battier

Heat Bench

If he doesn't start, Shane Battier will be the Heat's top man off the bench. In their Game 7 win over the Celtics, he nailed four threes. Battier will be crucial to the success of the Heat. Mike Miller has battled injuries the whole playoffs, but will continue to play through them. Rookie Norris Cole and big man Ronny Turiaf provide energy off the bench. Joel Anthony is another big man who will see some minutes.

Thunder Bench

James Harden, this season's Sixth Man of the Year, is the energizer off the bench. He is averaging 17.6 points per game in the playoffs. Harden is the Thunder's third best player. He just happens to prefer to come off the bench. Derek Fisher brings a veteran presence at guard. Daequan Cook will also get some minutes at the guard positions. Nazr Mohammad and Nick Collison are important post players off the bench.

Advantage: Thunder

Coaching Matchup: Scott Brooks & Erik Spoelstra

Heat: Erik Spoelstra

As a head coach in the NBA, Spoelstra feels the heat of pressure more then most. Expectations are high for this team. If something goes awry, Spoelstra is usually the first to get blamed. He got outcoached in last year's NBA Finals and can't afford to let that happen again.  

Thunder: Scott Brooks

Brooks is one of the NBA's best young coaches. He has a 156-80 record, despite coaching one of the league's youngest teams. Brooks was also named coach of the year in 2009-10. His decision to have Sefolosha switch and guard Tony Parker in the Western Conference Finals helped turn around that series for the Thunder.

Advantage: Thunder

Prediction

These teams matchup quite nicely. Durant and LeBron are probably the two best players in the NBA right now. Durant is the best scorer in the league, while LeBron is the best all-around player. The matchup between Wade and Westbrook should be intriguing as well. Both guards are explosive and have the ability to completely change the series outcome. I had a difficult time deciding who to pick to win the series, but nevertheless, I believe I have come to my conclusion. In my opinion, the Thunder have been the more consistent and complete team thus far in the postseason and will continue to be. I think Scott Brooks will make the necessary adjustments defensively to slow down the Heat offensively. Additionally, I predict that Westbrook will give the Heat trouble much the way Rondo did for the Celtics in the previous round. I believe the difference in the series will be the play of James Harden. He isn't the best player on the floor, but he has the ability to come up with the big play. My guess is that he will have several in the series. The Thunder will do enough to complete the task set before them and will win the NBA Title. 

My prediction: Thunder in seven games.

Thunder Earn First NBA Title Appearance Since Relocation

Russell Westbrook and the Thunder have plenty to be excited about. (Sue Ogrocki)

After winning Game 2, the San Antonio Spurs became just the fourth team in NBA history to win at least 20 games in a row. Experts and analysts were calling them unbeatable and the complete package. I guess the Oklahoma City Thunder didn't get the memo or buy into it. They dominated the Spurs in Game 3 and closed out Games 4 and 5 exquisitely to take a 3-2 advantage, heading into Game 6 back in San Antonio.

The Spurs knew the game was a must-win, and they displayed it from the onset. In the first half, they basically had their way offensively and forced many turnovers as a result. The Spurs advantage at the half was 15 points. However, the Thunder came out in the second half looking like a different team. They outscored the Spurs 59-36 from that point on. Kevin Durant led the way with 36 points and 14 rebounds. Russell Westbrook added 25 emphatic points.

The fact that the Thunder basically swept a Spurs team who had just won 20 games in a row is remarkable. What is even more incredible is when you consider where this franchise was just a few years ago. Three seasons ago, they started out 3-29, on pace for the worst record in NBA history. Add in the fact in the fact that in the playoffs, the Thunder beat they the only three Western Conference teams to reach the NBA Finals since 1998, the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and now the Spurs. It is extraordinary what they have accomplished to get to this point. Now, they await the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals. No matter who they play in the NBA Finals, you can be assured that this young team and their enthused fan base will be ready to put forth their best.

Ibaka and Durant Lead Thunder to Series-Tying Game 4 Win

Serge Ibaka and Kevin Durant's dynamic play was the difference. (Ronald Martinez)

A dynamic duo led the Thunder in Game 4. If you didn't watch the game, you must be thinking it has to be Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. That would be half-right. Durant was as good as ever, but the Spurs defense shut down Westbrook, limiting him to just seven points on 2-10 shooting.

As Game 4 tipped off tonight, the OKC faithful were on their feet and as loud as ever. They knew what this game meant for their team's chances of moving onto the NBA Finals. With a win, the Thunder would level the series at two games a piece headed back to San Antonio. There is just something special about playing in front of your home crowd. I don't know if you have ever experienced this yourself, but players are often propelled to do something they didn't know they were capable of doing. It was that kind of night for Serge Ibaka.

When Ibaka entered the NBA draft from his native Congo, he was as raw a talent as they come. The Thunder saw the promise and potential he had for great things. Many members of the Thunder's current front office are former San Antonio Spurs employees. The Spurs have long been known for their ability to scout very well internationally. Six of the twelve players who played in Game 4 for the Spurs were born overseas. Back to the Thunder. They decided to take a chance on Ibaka's raw talent. This season Ibaka has improved significantly, especially on the defensive end. He led the league in blocks this season averaging 3.65 per game.

Back to tonight. Ibaka found his stride from the onset. He controlled the paint, knocked down mid-range jumpers, and even channeled his inner Dr. J on an explosive cradle slam. Ibaka finished with 26 points, shooting a perfect 11-11 from the field and 4-4 from the charity stripe. His performance is the second most shots made from the field without a miss in NBA playoff history.

In the fourth quarter, the Spurs staged a comeback narrowing the Thunder lead to four. But then it was simply Kevin Durant time. The Spurs simply could not stop him. Over a nine-possession stretch, Durant buried 16 points. With less then a minute left, he beautifully kicked the ball out to James Harden, who drained the three to seal the Thunder's Game 4 win.

It's all level headed back to San Antonio. The Spurs who seemed unbeatable have now lost two in a row. The Thunder have all the momentum and energy in their sails. Thabo Sefolosha has basically shut down Tony Parker the past two games. The Spurs motion offense has suffered as a result. However, I am pretty sure Gregg Popovich still has a few more tricks up his sleeve as he orchestrates the Spurs. Game 5 tips off Monday night at nine. Both teams will be ready, looking to gain the upper hand in this hard fought battle.

Western Conference Finals: Preview & Prediction

The Western Conference Finals, featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, is set to begin tomorrow night at 8:30 PM EST. My preview will look at the matchup position by position to see who has the advantage. I will conclude with my pre-series prediction.

Point Guard Matchup: Tony Parker & Russell Westbrook

Spurs: Tony Parker
Parker is having what many people consider his best season ever. He finished fifth in MVP voting. Parker's play in the postseason has been just as good. He is averaging 19.1 points per game and 7.1 assists per game. Parker also has very good career numbers against the Thunder, including a season-high 42 points on February 4.

Thunder: Russell Westbrook
Westbrook is ultra athletic and as volatile a scorer as point guards come. He has become more of an efficient shooter this season and even more so in the playoffs. In the postseason, Westbrook is shooting 47.2% from the field and averaging 24.1 points per game.

Advantage: None

Shooting Guard Matchup: Danny Green & Thabo Sefolosha

Spurs: Danny Green
When Manu Ginobili broke his hand in January, Green took the starting spot and never looked back. The Spurs love his athleticism and ability to defend the perimeter so well. Green's ability to stroke the three fits perfectly with the Spurs offense. He led the way in the last regular season matchup of these two teams with 21 points.

Thunder: Thabo Sefolosha
Sefolosha is considered to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. His athletic 6-7 frame allows him to matchup with the other team's best player. Not known for his offensive game, he can make the open three on occasion. He is 7 for 14 from behind the arc in the playoffs.

Advantage: Spurs

Small Forward Matchup: Kawhi Leonard & Kevin Durant

Spurs: Kawhi Leonard

Over the course of his rookie campaign, Leonard has continued to get better. This improvement has transpired in the postseason. Leonard is shooting 51.1% from the field and 45.4% from three in the playoffs. His 6-7 frame, long arms, and defensive awareness on the court will mean he will likely first defend superstar Kevin Durant.

Thunder: Kevin Durant

Durant's 28.0 points per game during the regular season earned him his third consecutive scoring title. He is a supreme athlete and has the dual package ability of being able to effortlessly attack the rim and drain most any jumper. No player means more to his team's success than Durant.

Advantage: Thunder

Power Forward Matchup: Tim Duncan & Serge Ibaka

Spurs: Tim Duncan

Duncan is possibly the greatest power forward ever to play the game. His post moves are as consistent as ever, and his presence is the foundation to the Spurs defense. Despite being 36-years-old, Duncan's numbers have improved drastically with his increased minutes in the playoffs. During the Spurs last series, he averaged 20 points and 9 rebounds per game.

Thunder: Serge Ibaka

Ibaka led the NBA in blocks this season averaging 3.65 per game. Due to his emergence as a top shot-blocker and post defender, he finished second in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Ibaka is still a young, raw talent from the Congo and will continue to improve.

Advantage: Spurs

Center Matchup: Boris Diaw & Kendrick Perkins

Spurs: Boris Diaw

Diaw came over to the Spurs in a midseason trade with the Charlotte Bobcats. Ever since, he has assumed the starting center role for the Spurs. Having played a variety of positions in his career, Diaw is a diverse big man who can stretch the floor. He is also a great passer for a big man.

Thunder: Kendrick Perkins

Bringing championship experience, Perkins is a hardworking post presence who is a solid rebounder and defender. He struggled mightily against the Spurs during the regular season. He also might have his handful defending Diaw's versatility.

Advantage: Spurs

Bench Matchup: Manu Ginobli & James Harden

Spurs Bench

The Spurs had the most points off the bench during the regular season and that has continued in the playoffs. Manu Ginobli is the clear leader. His veteran experience and playmaking ability is crucial for the Spurs. Guard Gary Neal and center Tiago Splitter make notable contributions off the bench. Stephen Jackson may be needed off the bench to help defend Durant.

Thunder Bench

James Harden, this season's Sixth Man of the Year, is the energizer off the bench. He is averaging 17 points per game in the playoffs. Derek Fisher brings a veteran presence at guard. Nazr Mohammad and Nick Collison are important post players off the bench.

Advantage: None

Coaching Matchup: Gregg Popovich & Scott Brooks

Spurs: Gregg Popovich

Popovich is the longest tenured coach in North American professional sports. He is a genius on the court and has an eye for spotting talent. His four championship titles and 116 playoff victories is the most among active coaches.

Thunder: Scott Brooks

Brooks is one of the NBA's best young coaches. He has a 152-78 record, despite coaching one of the league's youngest teams. Brooks was also named coach of the year in 2009-10.

Advantage: Spurs

Prediction

Both teams have basically crushed their opponents up until now. The Spurs are on an 18-game winning streak. Their average margin of defeat in the postseason so far has been 14 points. The Thunder only have one loss in the playoff so far. They knocked out the past two NBA champions to get to this point. Nothing will be easy for either of these teams. I expect this series to be hard fought throughout. That being said, I like the Spurs to win this series. I don't believe the Thunder will have an answer for Tim Duncan. The Spurs motion offense has been running on all cylinders during the playoffs. The Spurs talent from top to bottom is hard to match. I don't think Durant and Westbrook can do enough to carry the Thunder through. The supporting cast isn't good enough yet. While I do believe the Thunder are on their way to a title, I don't believe it will happen this year. The Spurs will do enough to hold off and put away the Thunder.

My prediction: Spurs in six games.

2012 NBA MVP Candidates

In a presidential election year, I thought it would be fitting to preview the top three MVP candidates in my opinion. I will present the resumes of all three and tell you who I think is most deserving at this point.

LeBron James - LeBron's numbers are legit. They've been so all season. I mean 26.5 points per game, 6.5 assists per game , and 8.1 rebounds per game is certainly getting the job done. After all, he dropped 41 against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight, helping the Heat clinch a playoff berth. The problem is that he still has the games where he does not show up. On Sunday, James had the chance to make his case against the Boston Celtics on national television. Instead, he looked passive for most the game in the Heat's embarrassing loss. He finished with 23 points, but had no assists. LeBron's numbers are great, but he takes nights off, which is something the other two candidates seemingly never do.

Kevin Durant - Durant might be having his best NBA season yet. He is averaging 27.5 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, and 8.2 rebounds per game. He is doing that while shooting slightly better than 50% from the field and nearly 38% from three. All the while, he is elevated his team's play to the best record in the NBA. Something I think they will hold onto the rest of the season. Unlike James, Durant thrives under pressure and attention. In his last game against the Heat he nearly had a triple-double. He will get another shot tomorrow night to showcase his talent against LeBron when the Thunder travel to South Beach to take on the Heat. You can bank on the fact that many MVP voters will be closely watching that game.

Kevin Love - Love's numbers are just sick. There is no way around it. He is averaging 26.5 points per game and 13.6 rebounds per game. How did Love respond when his team's second best player and starting point guard, Ricky Rubio, got knocked out for the rest of the season? He took his game to an even higher level. In the month of March, Love averaged 31 ppg and 15 rpg. How is he in the spotlight? Love shines as bright as anyone. He sent a game against the Thunder into overtime a couple weeks ago when he posted up about 25 feet from the basket, sealed off his man, and nailed the buzzer-beating stepback three. Despite being 6-10, Love is the total offensive package shooting 45% from the field, 39% from three, and 82% from the charity stripe.

All three players have fantastic numbers, so you can't really go wrong with picking any of them. However, I believe there is one superior candidate. LeBron has all the makings of an MVP winner, but the fact that he disappears at the moments that matter most is not very MVP-like. Durant's a complete package as well, but you have to consider that he has another star in Russell Westbrook putting up excellent numbers as well. For that matter, LeBron has some guys named Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh playing with him who aren't to shabby either. With Rubio hurt, Love's best teammates are the likes of Nikola Pekovic and Michael Beasley. You can argue that Love shouldn't win the MVP because he doesn't play on one of the league's best teams, but this team was likely going to be a playoff team for the first time in years, until the Rubio injury. Even since then, Love has kept the Timberwolves near the .500 mark, something they haven't finished above since the 2004-05 season. If the award is seriously going to be called the Most Valuable Player, I don't know how you can give it to anyone other than Kevin Love. No player means more to his team than Love means to the Timberwolves.

Rondo and Thunder Duo Own Today

Everyone was excited for ABC's two big NBA matchups today. What no one expected is that they would both be blowouts, but they certainly were. I will take a look at what happened in both games.

Boston Celtics 91 Miami Heat 72

The Miami Heat were never really in the game as the Boston Celtics used big first and third quarters to take control of the game. The Celtics led by at least 19 most of the second half. Rajon Rondo played a nearly flawless, balanced game. He finished with 16 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds. The triple-double was Rondo's fifth of the season and was another outstanding performance in a marquee game on national television. The Celtics' stifling defense frustrated the Heat, who shot only 34.8% from the field. LeBron James finished with no assists for only the second time in his career. The game was another alarming loss for the Heat. They have now lost 7 of their last 10 road games. The loss was their third consecutive with a margin of defeat of at least 15. The Heat are 21-2 at home, but only 16-12 on the road. This team does not appear nearly as complete as was once thought.

Oklahoma City Thunder 92 Chicago Bulls 78

In one week, the Oklahoma City Thunder have destroyed the other two teams competing for the best record in the NBA. Last Sunday, they beat the Miami Heat 103-87. Today's win over the Chicago Bulls wasn't even as close as the score indicates. Russell Westbrook led the scoring for the Thunder with 27 points and Kevin Durant added 26 points and 10 rebounds. The Thunder's shutdown defense took care of the rest. The OKC lead grew to as much as 30 points in the 4th quarter before the starters went out. The Bulls obviously missed having Derrick Rose and Rip Hamilton, but this result was much worse than just missing him. The team looked flat in every aspect of the game and were outhustled completely. The question becomes how good are the Bulls really. Rose must get healthy for them to be truly competitive. But if Rose does have a bad game, will they be able to recover? This game certainly should be a wakeup call for the Bulls to say the least.

Fab Five Performances from the NBA Sunday

5. Phoenix Suns PG Steve Nash - 8 points and 14 assists

On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns by 12 at home. The Lakers' return road trip Sunday didn't go nearly as well. The Suns grew the lead to as much as 27 points in the third quarter. Nash was a main reason why. The aging star is still a magician on the court. It doesn't matter who is playing with him. He makes them look even better.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves PF Kevin Love - 20 points and 15 rebounds

This is not the Minnesota Timberwolves teams of past years that would melt in the fourth quarter. This team has shown all year that they know how to win late. This game was another example. Love scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter. With his team down by one, Love drove to the basket. He was fouled with 0.1 second left. He made both free throws to clinch the win.

3. New York Knicks PG Jeremy Lin - 28 points, 14 assists, and 5 steals

The Dallas Mavericks are the reigning champions, but Jeremy Lin wasn't intimidated coming off the Knicks' loss to the Hornets. Dirk Nowitzki may have scored 34 points, but it was Lin who orchestrated the winning effort. Lin's turnover rate was still high, but in retrospect his play has been incredible. Another impressive performance for the youngster from Harvard.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder PG Russell Westbrook - 40 points and 9 assists

1. Oklahoma City Thunder SF Kevin Durant - 51 points and 8 rebounds

These two guys have to be mentioned together after their combined performance Sunday. All they did was scored a combined 91 points. That was more points then six NBA teams scored in their respective games. Durant's 51 was a career-high. Everyone knows these two guys like to score. There has been more debate as to whether or not they can co-exist on one team. They seemed to do just fine on Sunday. I think any NBA team executive would be more than happy with that type of dynamic performance.

Honorable Mention - Oklahoma City Thunder PF Serge Ibaka - 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 blocks

The triple-double was the first of Ibaka's young career. The Congolese big man continues show great potential.

NBA Friday: Separating the Contenders from the Pretenders

Boston Celtics 91 New York Knicks 89

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen helped the Celtics secure a much needed win at home. The Knicks fall to 8-15 on the season. Questions and complaints continue to circulate about this dysfunctional team.

Orlando Magic 102 Cleveland Cavaliers 94

The Magic had trouble closing out the end of January (they went 2-6), but picked up their second win in two February games. Dwight Howard had 19 points and 16 rebounds in the win. We will have to see the Magic are back on track as it appears.

Miami Heat 99 Philadelphia 76ers 79

The Heat pounded the 76ers behind big games from Wade and LeBron. LeBron has had a MVP first-half of the season to lead the Heat. The loss drops the 76ers' home record to 12-3. While that is still impressive, this game showed the 76ers to be more of pretenders than contenders.

Oklahoma City Thunder 101 Memphis Grizzlies 94

Kevin Durant closed out another impressive win for the Thunder. Their record now stands at a league-best 18-4 (9-1 at home). Each game makes the Thunder look more and more like serious contenders. On the other hand, the Grizzlies have been a disappointment so far this season. Many people liked their talent for a short season, but they have been mediocre to this point.

Indiana Pacers 98 Dallas Mavericks 87

The Pacers are playing like contenders right now. They won in Dallas for the first time in eight years. Their ten road victories are tied for the most in the league. Paul George nailed seven three pointers and scored a career-high 30 points. The defending champion Mavericks continue to struggle. Right now, they are looking a lot more like pretenders than contenders.

Los Angeles Lakers 93 Denver Nuggets 89

The Lakers have had their struggles on the road, but got a quality win in Denver to improve their road record to 3-7. Kobe didn't have his best game, but his solid effort combined with those of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum were enough to secure the win. The Nuggets are trying compete against the top tier of the Western Conference, but lack a true star. They might be regular season contenders, but that is a recipe for a postseason pretender.

Oklahoma City Thunder Continue Their Thunderous Start

Everyone questions and debates whether or not Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook can coexist. All this team seems to be concerned with is winning games. They're off to a league-best 12-2 start. They may not be blowing their opposition out of the water or putting up big numbers, but they are doing what they have to do to win.

Tonight, Oklahoma City played a Boston Celtics team that was desperate for a win in Boston. The Thunder refused to back down. Kevin Durant came out and scored 28 points and had seven rebounds. Russell Westbrook hit two clutch threes late in the game to seal the win. He finished with 26 points on the night. Westbrook wasn't the only one to come up clutch late. Thabo Sefolosha, who is traditionally known for his shutdown defense, scored 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. Boston fell behind early and could never recover, losing the game 97-88. The Celtics have now lost five straight for the first time in the New Big 3 era.

The leader of the Thunder both on and off the court is clearly Kevin Durant. Everyone knows he is a great scorer, but it is more complex than that. Durant is a complete player, who his teammates can turn to for the leadership they need. Russell Westbrook is a fiery point guard, who is content shooting the basketball. While he infuriates some commentators and analysts, Westbrook is talented and plays hard, even if he doesn't fit the traditional point guard mold. He is still relatively young and has some growing to do. As long as his teammates know how he plays and what to expect, I don't see any problem with him playing in Oklahoma City with Durant.

The rest of the Thunder team fills out nicely. Center Kendrick Perkins came over in a trade from the Celtics. At, power forward they have a raw talent in Serge Ibaka from the Congo. Ibaka is still only 22 and showed some fabulous potential in the playoffs last season. His specialty is shot blocking, but with some quality coaching and maturing, I think he has a chance to be an All-Star in the future. The last starter is Thabo Sefolosha at the two guard. As was aforementioned, he is a top-notch defender.

The bench has some fine talent as well. Guard James Harden is one of the best sixth men in the league. He is averaging 17.4 ppg this season off the bench. Nick Collison and Nazr Mohammad are the big men coming off the bench first. Guard Daequan Cook has seen an increase in his minutes since Eric Maynor was injured. Maynor, a promising second-year player, might be done for the season.

As far as the Oklahoma City Thunder are concerned, the media can keep bringing up problems with their team. They seem to be too preoccupied winning games to care. As long as everyone keeps maintaining their roles and maturing as the season progresses, this will be a very dangerous team come playoff time. For Kevin Durant and the Thunder, the time to take off to the next level seems to be now.