2012 NBA Playoffs: Why the Heat Are Definite Locks to Win the Eastern Conference

Most people, including me, expected the Heat to win the Eastern Conference before Derrick Rose got hurt.

Then Rose got hurt, and we all locked the Heat in to win the East.

The Heat are dominating the Knicks and should cruise into the second round, where they would play either Orlando or Indiana. Indiana is inexperienced and is playing like it, and there's no way the Magic can beat the Heat without Dwight Howard.

That brings us to the East finals, where Miami would play Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta or Chicago.

If Philly or Atlanta somehow reached the finals, the Heat would run over them in four or five games. If the Celtics or Bulls made it, the Heat would have a harder test. 

But here's why they'd beat both teams.

Chicago has played well without D-Rose this year, but with Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and C.J. Watson being the Bulls' best players, I doubt they'd be able to beat LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in a seven-game series.

Boston isn't the team they were when they won the East two years ago, even though they still have all of their stars. Ray Allen has been battling injuries, Rajon Rondo got suspended for one game, and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett struggled in Game 1 against the Hawks.

Now, Boston only played in one playoff game this year, but they sure didn't do a good job in that playoff game.

Garnett and Pierce both shot badly and missed opportunities to score. The Celtics missed too many easy shots and let Atlanta make too many jumpers early on, and although Atlanta let them back into the game and gave them opportunities to win, Boston didn't capitalize.

The Celtics went 2-1 against Miami during the regular season series, winning two in April.

However, I think Boston will lose Game 2 without Rajon Rondo, the team MVP of Game 1, and they'll fall behind 0-2. I don't think Boston will win four of five games against Atlanta, and I see them going home early.

Miami played Chicago last year with an NBA Finals berth on the line, and the Heat prevailed in five games. Derrick Rose was heavily pressured on his shots, and he struggled as the Heat ran away with the series.

Without Derrick Rose, imagine what Chicago would face.

Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are at their best. Chris Bosh can take Carlos Boozer out of the game and force the Bulls' guards to beat Miami, Shane Battier and Mike Miller can both light up a crowd with a triple-double at any time and Mario Chalmers can drive, pass, and shoot.

LeBron James has been a nightmare for defenses so far: getting ahead on fast breaks, driving to the hoop and finishing. James has lit up American Airlines Arena in the Heat's first two games against New York with dunks, jumpers and three-point plays.

That Wade guy isn't too bad either.

James, Wade, plus Bosh and the rest of the team are contesting shots and playing with energy on defense, which is what Boston lacked in Game 1.

The Heat will out-hustle anyone they face in the East, and they will get ahead of the defense and score two-on-one, three-on-one and three-on-two baskets.

Miami's Big Three came up short last year, but they won the East. This year, the team is better, and the road is easier. There's no reason to doubt that the Heat will make the NBA Finals.

They shoot well, they attack the basket, they play smart, they defend well and they know how to light up a crowd. Miami fans should be very confident right now, because the Heat are going to go far in the playoffs.

And nobody will stop them.