HANG TIME NEW JERSEY — Considering how dramatic last year’s Finals was, now’s the perfect time for the first rematch in 16 years. The last time two teams faced each other in The Finals in back-to-back years was the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz in 1997 and 1998.

We’re also returning to the 2-2-1-1-1 format for the first time since 1984. In the 29 years of the 2-3-2 format, the lower seed won all three games at home only three times (though the Heat did it in 2006 and 2012).

In these playoffs, the Spurs (9-1) and Heat (8-0) are a combined 17-1 at home, each scoring more than 116 points per 100 possessions. That’s ridiculously good offense, and we’re sure to see some more of it over the next 4-7 games.

These were two of the top six offensive teams in the regular season and have been the two best offensive teams in the playoffs. Comparing their offensive efficiency in each round with their opponents’ regular-season defensive numbers, both the Spurs and Heat have improved offensively during the playoffs.

The Heat (11th) are the first team since the 2006 Mavericks (11th) to make The Finals after not ranking in the top 10 in defensive efficiency in the regular season. And they’re aiming to be the first team since the 2001 Lakers (19th) to win the title after not ranking in the top 10.

The Spurs ranked in the top four defensively for the second straight season after sliding out of the top 10 the previous two. That they played more consistently on that end of the floor over the last seven months could give them the edge, as the team that can most consistently slow down the other over the next two weeks will win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

But postseason series are often about matchups, and the Heat have the ultimate trump card in LeBron James. If it seems like this series could be decided by a possession or two, you only have to look back at last year’s to confirm that it certainly could.

Here are some statistical nuggets regarding these two teams’ paths to The Finals, their two regular season meetings, and last year’s scintillating series.

Pace = Possessions per 48 minutes

OffRtg = Points scored per 100 possessions

DefRtg = Points allowed per 100 possessions

NetRtg = Point differential per 100 possessions

Stats and rankings are for the playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs (62-20)

First round: Beat Dallas in 7 games.

West semifinals: Beat Portland in 5 games.

West finals: Beat Oklahoma City in 6 games.

Pace: 96.2 (4)

OffRtg: 111.2 (2)

DefRtg: 101.0 (2)

NetRtg: +10.1 (1)

Regular season: Team stats | Player stats | Lineups

vs. Miami: Team stats | Player stats | Lineups

Playoffs: Team stats | Player stats | Lineups

Spurs by round

Round Opp. OffRtg Rank AdjO DefRtg Rank AdjD First round DAL 110.2 3 +4.3 106.8 9 -2.2 Conf. semis POR 112.3 2 +7.5 93.9 1 -14.3 Conf. finals OKC 111.4 2 +10.4 100.7 1 -7.4

AdjO = OffRtg – opponent’s regular-season DefRtg

AdjD = DefRtg – opponent’s regular-season OffRtg

Playoff notes:

Spurs postseason shot profile

Area FGM FGA FG% Rank %FGA Rank Restricted area 286 445 64.3% 2 29.7% 12 Other paint 114 250 45.6% 4 16.7% 5 Mid-range 175 426 41.1% 6 28.4% 6 Corner 3 45 99 45.5% 1 6.6% 9 Above-break 3 103 276 37.3% 4 18.4% 13

%FGA = Percentage of total shots

Miami Heat (54-28)

First round: Beat Charlotte in 4 games.

East semifinals: Beat Brooklyn in 5 games.

East finals: Beat Indiana in 6 games.

Pace: 87.3 (16)

OffRtg: 113.7 (1)

DefRtg: 105.3 (6)

NetRtg: +8.3 (2)

Regular season: Team stats | Player stats | Lineups

vs. San Antonio: Team stats | Player stats | Lineups

Playoffs: Team stats | Player stats | Lineups

Heat by round

Round Opp. OffRtg Rank AdjO DefRtg Rank AdjD First round CHA 109.8 5 +8.6 99.6 3 -1.6 Conf. semis BKN 116.3 1 +11.4 108.2 5 +3.8 Conf. finals IND 114.3 1 +17.6 107.1 2 +5.6

Heat playoff notes:

Heat postseason shot profile

Area FGM FGA FG% Rank %FGA Rank Restricted area 228 326 69.9% 1 30.0% 11 Other paint 58 119 48.7% 1 10.9% 16 Mid-range 114 288 39.6% 9 26.5% 8 Corner 3 50 115 43.5% 3 10.6% 1 Above-break 3 90 237 38.0% 3 21.8% 7

The matchup

Season series: Series tied, 1-1. Home team won both games.

Pace: 95.6

SAS OffRtg: 110.1 (4th vs. MIA)

MIA OffRtg: 105.4 (7th vs. SAS)

Regular season notes:

Last year’s Finals

Heat won, 4-3.

Pace: 91.1

SAS OffRtg: 104.5 (best vs. MIA in last year’s playoffs)

MIA OffRtg: 106.1 (best vs. SAS in last year’s playoffs)

Series notes:

Category: 2014 NBA Playoffs, NBA.com/Stats / Tags: , Boris Diaw, Chris Andersen, Chris Bosh, Danny Green, Dwyane Wade, Erik Spoelstra, Gregg Popovich, John Schuhmann, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Manu Ginobili, Marco Belinelli, Mario Chalmers, Miami Heat, Mike Miller, Norris Cole, Patty Mills, Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen, san antonio spurs, Shane Battier, Tiago Splitter, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Udonis Haslem / 81 Comments on Numbers preview: The Finals /