Although that assumes the rule hasn't changed.
This is the key. We know some seeding rules have changed since then. So far, in my search, all rules I have seem listed (including on NBA.com) suggest that the tiebreaker would be record in your own conference. The only places I have seen any mention of the tiebreaker being the record against the opposing conference has been from LA papers and blogs, and they do not cite anything for this rule.
So, either they know something we don't, and there is another document out there somewhere that lays out the special rules for the finals (which are different than the rest of the playoffs), or, those LA writers remember that series in 2001, and are making the assumption that nothing has changed since then. Considering how terrible many of these guys are at understanding the nuances of rules like this (and to print innacurate information), I don't think that is an unreasonable scenario.
Honestly, I don't know what to think.