NBA Podcast: Olympic Quarterfinals, Miami Heat and Washington Wizards Previews

The Miami Heat defend their title next season, while the Washington Wizards hope to be NBA-relevant again for the first time in half a decade.

On this episode of Basketball by Association, NBA Assistant Editors Ethan Norof and Joel C. Cordes continue their NBA Season Preview series, while also breaking down each matchup in the 2012 Olympic Basketball Quarterfinals.

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Team USA recovered from their scare against Lithuania, turning on the second-half afterburners against an eventually exhausted Argentina squad.

While Australia looks to be overmatched talent-wise, they already have upset a very talented Russian squad earlier in the tournament. Will their physical style pose some early problems for the Americans?

Elsewhere in the tournament, the matchups have some fun historical, geographical and basketball implications as Russia plays Lithuania, Spain squares off against France and Brazil battles Argentina.

Stateside, the Miami Heat have added even more shooters, with Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis aboard, but how far can they take their small-ball "position-less?" Are they properly insured if one of the Big Three misses extended time with injury again?

The Washington Wizards are especially intriguing after rebuilding their roster with veteran help around John Wall. A brand-new front line of Nene and Emeka Okafor will provide stability, but was it a sound fiscal move to add their huge contracts along with Trevor Ariza?

What's the true ceiling of this team, and did they sell their future for a middling present?

You should also check out our season previews for the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Bobcats, plus the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets.

Bleacher Report's Basketball by Association is your final destination for all things Olympic and pro hoops!