Miami Heat: Previewing Miami's Matchup with Golden State at Every Position

Before the Miami Heat travel to the Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Clippers in one of the biggest games of the young 2011-12 NBA season, the Heat must take on the struggling Golden State Warriors.

After impressive wins against the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks in their first three games, the Warriors have gone on a rough five game losing streak, which could be extended to six games after their game against the Heat.  

So how do the Golden State Warriors match up with the Miami Heat?  Who has the advantage at each position on the court?  Will the Heat get caught looking forward to their matchup with the "Lob City" Clippers? 

Read on to find out.  

Bench Advantage: Miami Heat

Aside from the Golden State Warriors inability to play defense, their next biggest weakness is the lack of depth that exists on their bench.  The same was thought to be true of the Miami Heat, but because of early season injuries, the Heat's bench was forced to prove its worth and they did just that, even winning a game without both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. 

The Heat's bench averages less minutes than the Warriors' bench and they still manage to average 5.3 more points per game.  The Heat's first six of the bench average 39.6 points per game as compared to the Warriors' average of 34.3 points per game.

While the Warriors' bench isn't terrible, aside from Nate Robinson (who is now a starter because of Curry's injury) and Brandon Rush, the Warriors' don't have any consistent production off of the bench.  In what will be one of the biggest difference makers of the game, the bench performance of the Miami Heat will outproduce that of the Warriors' bench, ultimately resulting in a relatively easy Miami win. 

Advantage: Miami Heat

Point Guard Matchup: Mario Chalmers vs. Nate Robinson

With starting point guard Stephen Curry still battling an ankle injury, the Warriors have to turn to Nate Robinson to run the point against the Miami Heat's surging Mario Chalmers.

Without Stephen Curry the Warriors will not be the same team, and that will be put on display by just how dominant Chalmers will look against Nate Robinson.  Not only does Chalmers have the size advantage, he also has an advantage in nearly every offensive facet of the game.

Mario Chalmers will be able to score at will against Nate Robinson, forcing the Warriors defense to help constantly and lose focus of other players on the court.  While Chalmers averages only 1.0 more points and 1.5 rebounds per game than Robinson, he will still be able to overpower him when they matchup against each other on Tuesday night.

Advantage:  Miami Heat 

Shooting Guard: James Jones vs. Monta Ellis

The shooting guard matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat would usually be one of the most important to watch, with Dwyane Wade matching up up with Monta Ellis.  Unfortunately Dwyane Wade is still out with a foot injury, which puts James Jones into the starting lineup creating a big mismatch for Ellis.

James Jones if a great bench player for the Heat, but he just doesn't have that extra gear to his game, which keeps him from being a starter in the league.  Monta Ellis will force the Heat's front court to consistently help on screens and drives to the basket, which will open the court for Ellis to pass the rock around.

No matter how you look at this matchup, the clear advantage goes to Monta Ellis, who averages nearly 20 more points per game than Jones.  This will be a matchup to keep your eyes on, not because James Jones can compete with Ellis, but to see how it impacts the overall flow of the game for the Warriors.

Advantage:  Golden State Warriors

Small Forward: LeBron James vs. Dorell Wright

Here is another matchup with a clear-cut advantage.  An advantage that goes to LeBron James.  There is just no way that Dorell Wright will be able to contain LeBron James, either offensively or defensively speaking.

Dorell Wright isn't a bad player, but this season he hasn't quite found his groove yet and he won't be able to find it against the NBA's scoring leader, LeBron James.  LeBron is averaging 30-plus points per game, and I see no reason why he won't be able to hit that mark against the smaller Dorell Wright, who weighs in 40 pounds less than LeBron James.

I expect LeBron to put his post game on display against Dorell Wright, exposing his lack of strength and size early and often.  The only way Wright can even stay close to competing with James is if for some reason he can force James into foul trouble early on, but I don't see that happening.  What I do see happening however, is LeBron ending the game with more points, more assists and more rebounds than Dorell Wright.  

Advantage:  Miami Heat

Power Forward: Chris Bosh vs. David Lee

Chris Bosh vs. David lee will be a matchup to keep your eyes on.  Both players are having surprisingly strong years, with Chris Bosh averaging 20.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game and David Lee averaging 16.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.

Both players are the unsung heroes of their respective teams and they both play strong on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.  The difference between these two players is going to be the presence of a polished post game, and that slight advantage goes to Chris Bosh. 

David Lee's season production has been on the decline in recent games, as Chris Bosh's production has steadily gone in the opposite direction. I expect that to continue when they match up Tuesday night.  David Lee will be able to score on Bosh when he takes him to the perimeter and when he drives to the rim, but Chris Bosh will be unstoppable when he is utilized in the high pick-and-roll game with Mario Chalmers. 

Slight Advantage:  Miami Heat

Center: Joel Anthony vs. Andris Biedrins

Here we have a matchup of two role players who are both nothing special when it comes to the offensive side of the ball.  Both Biedrins and Anthony average under 4.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, so it's pointless to talk about how they are going to impact the game with their individual offensive skill. 

The way these players are going to impact the game will come down to which player is a more defensive presence in the paint for their respective team, and that advantage goes to the Warriors' seven-footer, Andris Biedrins.  Biedrins will be able to alter shots in the paint merely because of his seven foot frame, something that Joel Anthony won't do nearly as much.

Biedrins averages 1.5 blocks per game, and he won't have any problem grabbing that many blocks against the Heat on Tuesday night.  Joel Anthony and Andris Biedrins won't be factors on offense, but their defensive presence will be a difference maker in the game and that will be something to keep your eye on. 

Advantage:  Golden State Warriors

Overall Prediction: Miami Heat 104 Golden State Warriors 93

No, the Miami Heat won't be caught looking ahead to their big matchup with "Lob City" on Wednesday night, taking care of business against Golden State on Tuesday night. 

The Miami Heat will prove too much for the young Warriors to handle, with the Heat getting the advantage at every position aside from shooting guard and center.  LeBron James very well could record the first triple-double of his 2011-12 campaign, and if he does that there will be no way that the Miami Heat will lose.

The other difference maker to watch in this game will be the production that the Heat will get off their bench, which will outperform the bench play of the Warriors. 

Final Score Prediction:  Miami Heat 104  Golden State Warriors 93