NBA: 5 Teams Who Could Derail The Miami Heat Three-Peat

After eight seasons in the NBA, LeBron James had cemented himself as one of the best players in the league. However, one achievement had still eluded him for his entire career: An NBA Championship ring. Despite assembling the "Big 3" of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in 2011, the Miami Heat fell short of a championship after losing to the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the NBA Finals. Two years have passed since then and the Heat have not one, but two championship banners hanging in the rafters of American Airlines Arena. Behind the stellar play of James and the rest of the Big 3, Miami has become the annual favorite to run the table and win the championship. The road to a third championship only gets tougher from here on out, with these five teams standing in their way:

5. Los Angeles Clippers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T4KeIReGmc Affectionately known as "Lob City" due to their athletic and highlight reel style of play, the Clippers have put together one of the most prolific offenses in the Western Conference. Blake Griffin and Chris Paul have been on ESPN on season long with Paul's perfect passing and Griffin's explosive finishes around the rim, and have become fan favorites in the process. New Coach Doc Rivers has got the Clippers heading in the right direction, and could threaten the Heat in the dog days of the season.

4. Portland Trail Blazers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thwKezWmFVA One of 2013's pleasant surprises, the Trail Blazers have nearly matched their win total from 2012, with 40 games still remaining in the season. Point Guard Damian Lillard avoided hitting a sophomore slump after his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2012, in fact, he has improved his numbers from the previous year. Along with LaMarcus Aldridge, Lillard spearheads a young Portland team that is one or two pieces away from making a return to the finals.