Heat vs. Hornets 1st-Round Series Preview and Prediction

The Miami Heat, the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, are set to play the No. 6 Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

What's the crucial matchup? Who is the X-factor? Who will ultimately move on to the second round? 

Watch Stephen Nelson and Bleacher Report NBA Analyst Ric Bucher break down the Heat-Hornets series in the video above.