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When LeBron James migrated to Miami before the 2010-11 season, he infamously promised the Heat would win multiple championships during his stay in Florida.

Miami resumes the quest Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.

After burying New York, rallying past Indiana and surviving two elimination games against Boston in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Heat have reached their second straight NBA Finals.

Miami's opponent will be the young Thunder, who are the first team other than San Antonio, Dallas or the Los Angeles Lakers to represent the Western Conference since Utah in 1998.

Miami or Oklahoma City?

For anyone outside of south Florida, the choice is easy.

When James bolted Cleveland and Chris Bosh left Toronto in favor of Miami two years ago, the Heat became one of the least embraceable team in the NBA.

James and Bosh turned away from non-marquee markets in Cleveland and Toronto to join All-Star Dwyane Wade in sunny Florida. Their decision left many wondering whether the star-driven creation of super-teams was the wave of the future and, if so, how the league's small-market teams could possibly stay competitive.

Miami seemed destined to fulfill James' championship promise last year, when it raced into the Finals and took a 2-1 lead over Dallas. The Mavericks won two straight on the Heat's home court, however, and closed out Miami in six games.

Even more than Dallas a year ago, Oklahoma City looks like the people's choice in this series. The Thunder are the anti-Heat.

In one of the NBA's least glamorous markets, Oklahoma City has been built through shrewd use of the draft, wise spending and beneficial trades that netted contributing veterans Kendrick Perkins and Derek Fisher. The Thunder might not play in a destination of choice for free agents, but they are well-suited for the challenge presented by a team built primarily through free agency.

Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant likes it this way.

"My job is to come in here and get better every day as a basketball player," Durant told NBA.com. "... Being here provides me the best opportunity to do so.

"The city is just so laid-back and quiet, and that's the type of person I am. It fits me well. It's just a perfect place to be. It's the perfect place to bring your family — just a nice place to relax and I enjoy it."

All eyes, of course, will be on Durant's matchup with James.

For the first time since Utah's Karl Malone and Chicago's Michael Jordan met in 1997, the league's Most Valuable Player and scoring champion face each other in the Finals.

Unlike Malone and Jordan, however, Durant and James primarily play the same position. They will likely go head-to-head for long stretches throughout the series.

Both have been dominant in the playoffs. Durant averages 27.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 50.5 percent from the field. He had 34 points and 14 rebounds in Game 6 of the conference finals against San Antonio, which owned a 2-0 lead in the series before Oklahoma City won four straight.

James' playoff averages are more staggering: 30.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 50.8 percent shooting. Facing elimination in Game 6 of the East finals at Boston, James finished with 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.

Oklahoma City's supporting cast is led by All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook and Sixth Man award-winner James Harden.

Westbrook, especially, appears capable of big games against the Heat. They had trouble controlling Boston's Rajon Rondo in the East finals and Westbrook is a superior offensive player.

Miami counters Westbrook and Harden with Wade and Bosh, who missed nine playoff games with an abdominal strain. But he returned in Game 7 against Boston and scored 19 points in 31 minutes.

"For two years, he's been our most important player," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the Miami Herald. "He makes it all work. He showed up big and that's a testament not only to his talent but to his character."

If Bosh continues to produce, he gives Miami a chance to win the big-man battle against Oklahoma City, whose center/power forward rotation includes Perkins, shot-blocker Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison.

If the Thunder struggle to neutralize Bosh, the Heat will have a major advantage as they make their second attempt to deliver James' promised championship. Big Matchup

MVP LeBron James and scoring champion Kevin Durant have carried their teams into the Finals. Both have been at their best in the biggest moments of these playoffs. James is more powerful, versatile and creates extreme matchup problems. Durant owns a more dependable perimeter game, which stretches the defense.

Big Challenge

Russell Westbrook has emerged into an elite point guard who is Oklahoma City's No. 2 option on offense. He is ultra-physical, difficult to keep away from the basket and extremely effective on the pick-and-roll. All-Star Dwyane Wade is Miami's star in the backcourt, although the Thunder's Thabo Sefolosha is a long and athletic defender.

Coaches

This series doesn't feature Hall of Fame coaches, but Miami's Erik Spoelstra and Oklahoma City's Scott Brooks have done admirable jobs. Spoelstra has coached a veteran team with some obvious flaws into its second straight Finals. Brooks has guided the young team through its formative years with a deft touch.

X-Factors

Chris Bosh's return from an abdominal injury helps Miami deal with its biggest weaknesses — mid-range shooting and size around the basket. For Oklahoma City, James Harden has made 44.6 percent of his three-point shots in the postseason. He can also put the ball on the floor and draw fouls. He's made 87 percent of his 102 free throws in 15 playoff games.

Prediction • Miami in seven —

Finals schedule

P All games broadcast on Ch. 4

Tuesday • Miami at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

Thursday • Miami at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

Sunday • Oklahoma City at Miami, 6 p.m.

June 19 • Oklahoma City at Miami, 7 p.m.

x-June 21 • Oklahoma City at Miami, 7 p.m.

x-June 24 • Miami at Oklahoma City, 6 p.m.

x-June 26 • Miami at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

x-if necessary