After months of speculation about how the Miami Heat would fare when it matters the most, plenty of questions are about to be answered as the 2011 playoffs are set to get underway. The Heat will open the postseason against the Philadelphia Sixers, which will be huge underdogs in the first round series. Miami has battled to overcome a variety of obstacles both around the association and within their own organization, but head into the opening round winners of four straight and eight of their last 10.
The Heat will undoubtedly want to set the tone for the series early on with game one at the American Airlines Arena in front of a sellout home crowd. Miami swept the season series between these teams winning each game by at least nine points, including their first victory of the online sports betting season at Philadelphia after falling to the defending Eastern conference champion Boston Celtics in their season opener. It seems as though every since the infamous “Decision” the entire country has hated the Heat, and they won’t like them anymore after what they do in game one. Lebron James and company will come out flying, looking to flex their muscle at both ends of the floor. The Sixers enter the postseason as losers of four of their final five games, and with Andre Iguodola questionable there is concern about how they are going to be able to match up.
Iguodola rested down the stretch after tendonitis in his right knee took its toll late in the season. Philadelphia clearly wasn’t the same without their most explosive threat over the final few games, and were 5-9 overall without him this sports betting bonus season. They will need him not only to add some quickness on offense, but to defend either James or Wade depending on the situation. Iguodola is the Sixers’ best defender and one of the only players that will be able to press James.
One of the biggest reasons for the Heat’s strong finish was the improved play of their bench, which was particularly solid against the Celtics in their final game against a true contender. Miami outrebounded Boston, outscored them in the paint, and got more production from their reserves head-to-head, which are all categories that they were giving up against the best teams earlier in the year. They got another chance to show what they could do in the final game of the regular season, a 97-79 win over the Toronto Raptors in which both James and Chris Bosh didn’t see the floor. Eddie House looked dominant hitting 35 points, including shooting 7-of-13 from beyond the arc. While it won’t be as easy for him against the Sixers, the Heat will need House to be hitting from long range and it’s a promising sign that he looked good to close out the year.
Miami will want their bench to develop some momentum before they reach the final four in a much deeper Eastern conference, but should be able to get past the opening round with some quality play from their starters alone. Wade and James have heard the criticism all betting year, and will now look to take out their frustrations and make a statement in the opening round.
Prediction: Heat In Four