By: Naman "Tiny" Buch
Keys to the Heat winning the series
To put it simply the BIG 3 is the key. The trio of Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade has had its ups and downs this season but has the potential to really control its own destiny with good performances. The Big 3 averages together 70.1 ppg, close to 70% of the teams total points. Lebron James, even after all of the hype of the Decision, has been the Heat's most consistent option and though he gets a little overshadowed by his team due to their talent, I believe should receive more MVP attention. One member who took considerably less money to join the Heat, was expected to be a big member of the team, but had injuries, needs a big series to jump start the rest of the playoffs is Mike Miller. Miller only played in 41 games but should be a valuable member of the team and will be left open in many situations when Lebron, Wade and Bosh get the ball. However, Miller only shot around 30% considerably less than his career average in the final months of the season when he was healthy. It is important for the Heat to give Miller looks and for Miller to contribute and take advantage of the opportunities. Other than these 4, the Heat don't really look like they have much but do have solid contributers off the bench. James Jones, and Eddie House provides a 3 point assassins off the bench, as well as Mario Chalmers who can start as well over Mike Bibby and who has been hot heading into the playoffs. The Heat offense should take care of things but the defense is very underrated. When the Heat want to try to play defense, Dwayne Wade and Lebron are two lock down defenders who in my opinion don't get the credit they deserve. The defense is the 6th in the NBA allowing 94.6 ppg to the opposition and shouldn't have any trouble with match up problems on defense except maybe in the post with Bosh against Elton Brand. The Heat is a little old on the bench but shouldn't have any problems for right now and should do well against the young Philadelphia team.
Keys to the 76ers winning the series
The 76ers this season have played well and turned it around big time since last season due to the help of new Coach Doug Collins, and as well big contributions from Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand, and the emergence of young point guard Jrue Holiday. Iguodala has to have a big series but will have a tough time with Dwayne Wade and occasionally Lebron guarding him. Iguodala has been Philly's best defender and Collins has helped instill that mindset into Iggy. Brand I believe, should be Philly's go to guy and should be able to handle Bosh down low and put up big numbers in the series. Jrue Holiday had the biggest improvement on the team and put up bigger numbers in ppg, rpg, assists, 3PT% and FT% just to name a few. Holiday will look to use his speed to blow by Mike Bibby/Mario Chalmers both not great defenders and look to facilitate and control the offense. I expect Brand and Holiday to have big series and lead the team to have a chance against the Heat. The Philly defense has improved significantly and is the 12th best defense in the league allowing 97.5 ppg to the opposition. I believe the defense could have been even better if the 76ers had just kept Samuel Dalembert, who's a solid defender and I believe would have provided the team with not only a better defender and a better offensive option than Spencer Hawes.
The Sixers I believe will be able to take a couple of games against the Heat because of their youth and coaching of Doug Collins, but ultimately I believe Lebron and Wade provide two options that won't be stopped often by the Sixers defenders often. The Heat need to go to their 3 options and not get lazy on defense and offense and take any quarters or halves off. It's the playoffs now and the Heat can't cruise now, and I believe will become the unstoppable force of a team that they can become.
Prediction: Heat in 6 games
Rating:: 4/5 stars (Will be entertaining with Sixer's youth and of course the BIG 3)
Game 1: Saturday April 16 Philadelphia @ Miami 3:30 EST ABC
Seize the day people
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