NBA Playoffs Bracket 2012: Miami Heat Team to Beat for Title Following Injuries

Derrick Rose and Iman Shumpert both tore their ACLs in Game 1 of the 2012 NBA playoffs in devastating fashion.

Two non-contact plays, two players going immediately down to the floor in pain, and two MRIs later, each was diagnosed with a crucial ligament tear that will require surgery.

Ouch.

Although the majority of fans have focused on how Rose's injury will impact his Chicago Bulls, Shumpert's loss is also a big deal.

During his breakout rookie season, Shumpert had emerged as a very talented perimeter defender, who was not only capable of defending multiple positions, but often took on the task of lining up against the opposing team's best player.

The New York Knicks had been pegged as a potential team to upset Miami in the first round (I couldn't believe it either) with how well the team had closed out the regular season, but that just isn't happening without Shumpert.

The Bulls have become accustomed to playing without Rose in the lineup. Obviously, it's far from an ideal situation, but this team has shown itself to be capable of winning games with C.J. Watson in the starting lineup.

More importantly, the Bulls have shown themselves to be capable of beating good teams without Rose this season, something that is really going to help as the team looks to win one for Derrick.

What does it mean for the rest of the teams in the Eastern Conference? It's officially time to fear the Miami Heat.

Earlier this month, I wrote about how Miami was still the team to beat for the championship.

Some scoffed at the notion and others cited factors as to why the Heat shouldn't be taken seriously, but there isn't a fan of basketball who isn't looking at the Miami roster and seeing a team to fear.

It doesn't matter what team you're a fan of, either.

So for those of you who cheer on the Indiana Pacers, I'm sorry. For those of you who hold hope that the Orlando Magic can make sustainable waves without Dwight Howard, I'm sorry.

It's not happening—and it wasn't happening even before the injuries.

The only team that had a realistic shot of challenging the Heat in a hotly-contested playoff series was Chicago.

For as good as the Bulls are (and have been without Rose), Chicago needed its superstar point guard on the floor to have a prayer against Miami.

This is a more talented Heat team than the one that beat them in last year's conference finals, and now the Bulls are once again playing without Rose.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh now must realize that there shouldn't be much, if any, turbulence on their flight to a potential championship.

Between a swarming defense and unbelievably explosive offense, it's going to be a sweltering hot version of Heat basketball from here on out.