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The NBA Conference finals are now set. And the league has the Eastern Conference match-up everyone expected and the Western Conference match-up absolutely no one predicted.

With the off season trade of Shaquille O'Neal, the Miami Heat were anointed an Eastern Conference finalist before a single 2004-2005 regular season game was played. A team that made playoff waves a year ago, the Heat were essentially thought to be acquiring the final piece of a title contender with Shaq. And with the best record in the conference during the regular season and having swept the first two rounds of the playoffs, those preseason predictions appear correct.

In sweeping through the playoffs, Miami has proven to be more talented than anyone thought. An injured O'Neal missed the final two games of the Wizards series but the Heat barely missed a beat. Emerging superstar Dwayne Wade torched the Nets and Wizards for more than 28 points a game, showing folks that Miami is as much as his team as Shaq's. Wade topped thirty in both the playoff opener and the clincher of the Nets series, then topped thirty three times against the Wizards, including going for 42 in the game four finale.

Journey-man point guard Damon Jones has been in double figures in every playoff game and has been draining the three as well as any player in the league. Miami's
other Jones, guard-forward Eddie Jones is also knocking down his jumpers with regularity, with three games topping 60% from the floor and eighth straight games in double figures. Miami has received great role play from Udonis Haslem, Keyon Dooling, and Alonzo Mourning and even with an injured O'Neal, the Heat appear every bit to be the team thought to win the Eastern Conference.

The defending NBA champions Pistons also were a foregone conclusion when the season started. Coached by one the game's best ever in Larry Brown, Detroit has the individual talent but the collective approach that makes the sum even greater than individual parts.

Detroit has two of the games best two-way players in Rasheed Wallace and Tayshun Prince. Both have the long arms to bother any players shot and the relentless physical desire to compete on every possession. Through in center Ben Wallace as the shot blocker and Detroit is the one of the best defensive teams in the league.

But the defending champs have the firepower offensively as well, firepower that comes from balance. Rip Hamilton can shoot the tweener with the best in the league and his constant motion leads to switches, mismatches, and openings for teammates. Chauncey Billups can hit the three, rarely misses a free throw and also can hit that tweener jump shot. Since Rasheed Wallace and Prince can step to the three point line as well, the Pistons can also really stretch a defense.

The Eastern Conference match-up is the one everyone expected. It is hard to imagine the Detroit Pistons getting beat and the team has been considered the surest bet to emerge from the Eastern Conference, but this series with Miami should be a beauty.

Out West, the story continues to be the continued surprising run of the Phoenix Suns. No one predicted that this team would do what it has done this season, not 60 plus regular season wins, not a first round playoff sweep of an undermanned Memphis Grizzlies team and certainly not the second round elimination of the highly talented Dallas Mavericks. Phoenix has been in question all season but the fact that this team simply tries to outscore its opposition was thought to be a playoff liability.

But true to regular season form, the Suns have sprinted past everyone. Starting with the current Most Valuable Player Steve Nash as a catalyst, the Suns have proven to be an offensive juggernaut. The fleet and unselfish Nash proved he could also score with the best of the NBA when necessary, putting together two of the finest playoff performances ever in the last two games of the Mavericks series. After scoring 48 in a game four loss, Nash scored 34 and 39 in games five and six, still tossing in 12 assists in each game. The point guard also hauled in 13 rebounds in game five and 9 more in game six.

Gifted big man, Amare Stoudamire, and undersized forward, Shawn Marion, give opponents fits with their countless rushes up the floor. These two are capable of going for 30 plus on any given night as demonstrated by their play in the first two rounds. Quentin Richardson gives the team an offensive three point threat along with Nash. With guard-forward Joe Johnson set to return from injury, the Suns will have their full arsenal available as the go against the defensive-minded Spurs.

And the Spurs, well they just happen to have the league's best two way player in Tim Duncan. The big man anchors the San Antonio defense, is at the heart of their offense and is a team player who simply cares about winning. Duncan averages 20 plus points and 10 plus rebounds but has the capability of going for 35 points and 15 rebounds on any given night. Balky ankles may play a role in Duncan's performance in this series but if his feet hold up, he will be a formidable inside presence.

In Tony Parker, the Spurs also have a gifted point guard with the ability to score and put great pressure on the opposing defense. In second guard, Bruce Bowen the Spurs have a defensive stopper, a player who is capable of shutting down an opponents top scorer. Throw in guard-forward Manu Ginobli and you have the slashing style player that compliments the post play of Duncan. Ginobli went for 39 in game five against Seattle.

Like Detroit, San Antonio has one additional element going for it. The Spurs are seeking their third title in the last 8 years, all under Coach Gregg Popovich, and their second in three years. Experience in big games is the Spurs forte as they head into battle with Phoenix.

The Western Conference match-up, the one no one could have predicted, is a classic clash of styles, the best defensive team against the best offense. The NBA experience says defense wins so the Spurs are the favorite but this too looms as a great series.

The going wisdom before the playoffs got underway had San Antonio and Detroit meeting in the NBA finals and it may still end up that way. But two outstanding conference finals loom with four outstanding teams seeking a shot at the NBA title.