Celtics vs. Heat: Chris Bosh's Injury Will Determine Eastern Conference Champion

Chris Bosh's injury status will determine whether or not the Miami Heat advance to the 2012 NBA Finals.

Bosh's status is still uncertain, according to ESPN.com. In the ESPN.com article, Miami coach Erik Speolstra says his team will prepare for the series as if Bosh will not be available.

Without Bosh, Miami is at a disadvantage. Boston's frontcourt is not exceptional as a whole, but Kevin Garnett is capable of exploiting Miami's forwards to excess.

This series will be tight whether Bosh plays or not.

Let's look at how Bosh's injury impacts Miami and what Boston can do to maximize the Heat's loss.

Why Miami Needs Bosh to Win

Bosh is far and away Miami's best forward. Without Bosh, the Heat are left with Ronny Turiaf, Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony and Dexter Pittman.

That should not inspire optimism from Miami faithful.

Bosh was averaging 14.7 points this postseason before being sidelined with injury. He is Miami's only consistent presence down low, and pulls opposing big men away from the hoop with his mid-range stroke.

The Heat need Bosh to match up with Garnett. Garnett is too athletic for Pittman or Turiaf, and too talented for Anthony. He holds a size advantage over Haslem despite Haslem's underrated offensive repertoire.

The Celtics are not a strong rebounding team, and do not have a deep frontcourt. Miami cannot exploit their biggest advantage without their best forward on the court.

Miami managed to sneak by Indiana without Bosh, but the Celtics are not the Pacers. Boston's experience and balance will exploit Bosh's absence much more consistently than Indiana's so-so offensive attack.

How Can Boston Use This to Their Advantage?

Garnett is averaging 19.2 points and 10.8 rebounds in 13 postseason games. Without Bosh, Garnett is hands down the series' most talented big man.

Garnett put up these numbers against stronger big men than the rest of Miami's frontcourt crew. Just think of what he could do to the Heat's remaining mediocre frontcourt.

Boston is smart, experienced and well-coached. They will be ready to face Miami with Bosh, and ready to beat Miami without Bosh.

The Celtic offense will exploit Bosh's absence with a heavy dose of Garnett and Rajon Rondo. Rondo creates wide-open opportunities for both Garnett and Brandon Bass. If Bosh is not available, the two Celtic forwards will run rampant.

Defensively, the Celtics are already elite. Miami needs Bosh in the lineup to keep Boston's defense on their toes. Bosh's vacancy makes the Heat offense largely one-dimensional.

NBA fans can call Boston old and overrated all they want.

If Bosh is not able to play in this series, Boston will be the Eastern Conference champions.

If Bosh does play this series will go six or seven games, resulting in a Miami victory.

Bosh's injury is the biggest storyline remaining in this year's NBA postseason, and for good reason. His presence draws the line between Miami's return to the NBA Finals and grave disappointment in South Beach.