Thunder point guard: (0) Russell Westbrook 6-3, 4th yr
Westbrook's turnovers per game have dropped significantly from the regular season to the last series, and that's huge because it means he isn't forcing things in crunch time. Chalmers can't stay in front of him on the pick-and-roll, and that's going to occupy some of Wade's attention. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

Heat shooting guard: (3) Dwyane Wade 6-4, 9th yr
Wade was doubled against the Celtics. The Thunder will rely on Sefolosha solo on Wade and see how effective he is. That’s going to make Wade a more important piece of the Heat’s offensive game plan. He’ll need to help in defending Westbrook, too. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press)

Thunder shooting guard: (2) Thabo Sefolosha 6-7, 6th yr
Scott Brooks’ decision to give Sefolosha the defensive assignment on Tony Parker changed the dynamics of the Western Conference finals. If he does half as good on Wade, it won’t matter if he scores a single point. He’s shown he can score, too, and when he does, they’re tough to beat. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)

Heat small forward: (6) LeBron James 6-8, 9th yr
Any game that comes down to a shootout between James, fresh off one of the best playoff performances in NBA history, and Durant is apt to go to the player with the fewest offensive flaws. James’ subpar playoff free-throw shooting might be the difference. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)

Thunder small forward: (35) Kevin Durant 6-9, 5th yr
His play vs. the Spurs answered every question about his ability to close games and even showed a link to Michael Jordan, first getting teammates involved before taking over himself. His foul shooting (92.7 percent vs. Spurs; 86.9 pct. in 15 playoff games) is what gives him the edge in this matchup. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Heat power forward: (1) Chris Bosh 6-11, 9th yr
His return from injury helped them get past the Celtics. It’s his ability to stretch the Thunder defense with mid-range jumpers that makes him a key player in this series, because getting Ibaka away from the basket will make the paint more hospitable for Wade and James. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press)

Thunder power forward: (9) Serge Ibaka 6-10, 3rd yr
His ability to change shots, as well as block them, makes him a potential force in the Finals because of the importance of Wade’s and James’ drives to the basket. He’s a better mid-range shooter than most believe, though his 11-for-11 game against the Spurs likely made the Heat well aware. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Heat center: (40) Udonis Haslem 6-8, 9th yr
He’s had his streak shooting moments in these playoffs, but he’s mostly a shorter, skinnier version of Perkins: A solid defender and rebounder who picks up garbage buckets. The Heat might use him to pull Perkins out of the paint occasionally. (Doug Benc / Getty Images)

Thunder center: (5) Kendrick Perkins 6-10, 9th yr
He’s considered one of the league’s best interior defenders and defensive rebounders, but the Heat don’t rely on post scoring at all, so his greatest value is slightly marginalized in this series. He should be able to get some garbage baskets against Haslem. (Edward A. Ornelas / San Antonio Express-News)

Heat coach: Erik Spoelstra, 4th season
Spoelstra never really seems like he’s in charge when games are on the line, but allowing James and Wade to do something — anything — to win close games isn’t a terrible strategy. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)

Thunder coach: Scott Brooks, 4th season
Brooks changed the dynamics of the Spurs series by destroying Tiago Splitter’s confidence with intentional fouls and taking some of Tony Parker’s aggression away by making him get past Sefolosha instead of Westbrook. (Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News)