Miami Heat and NBA Teams with the Best Chance at Making the Second Round

With the NBA playoffs just around the corner, there are some clear favorites to move onto the second round of the playoffs.

Some of these teams are a layup in terms of moving onto the second round, while others do not have as great of a chance.

Of course, no teams have clinched a playoff spot yet, but these eight teams are almost guaranteed to make it to the playoffs and they have the best chance to move onto the second round. 

Boston Celtics

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BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 06: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics is congratulated by teammates Paul Pierce #23,Glen Davis #11,Kevin Garnett #5 and Ray Allen #20 after Rondo drew the foul in the second half agianst the Orlando Magic on February 6, 2011 at t

What a surprise.

The Celtics have the best record in the Eastern Conference and have clearly been the best team in the East for the whole season. 

They have proved so far that they have the best "big three" in the league in Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Throw Rajon Rondo in with any two of those players and there will be another "big three."

The Celtics have the best four-player combo in the league. 

Boston will most likely have the best record coming out of the East, and if not, they will easily secure the second spot. Therefore, they would play the Indiana Pacers or the Philadelphia 76ers if the playoffs started today.

There is no way either of these teams could beat Boston in a seven-game series.

Enough said—the Boston Celtics are a lock for moving onto the second round of the playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs

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SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 28: Tony Parker #9, Tim Duncan #21 and the San Antonio Spurs huddle in game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Sacramento Kings during the 2006 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2006 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif

Whether people like it or not, the San Antonio Spurs are the best team in the NBA.

It is very hard to argue this with their 50-11 record, the best record in the league. 

The Spurs have so much experience on their team in Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. People tend to forget how amazing these three players are together. 

The Spurs are going to be the No. 1 seed coming out of the Western Conference unless all of their players get injured. 

It would be a huge upset if they were to get knocked out of the first round. This is an upset that is not going to happen. 

Miami Heat

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat is guarded by Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks looks on during a game at American Airlines Arena on February 27, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.

The Miami Heat have so much talent on their team in these three players. They arguably have the most potential on their team, but they have not played up to it yet.

However, they are still second in the Eastern Conference behind the Celtics. The Heat have a very good team, but I think most would agree that they could play better.

The Heat will eventually play to their full potential and will win many championships. This team is easily going to make it to the second round of the playoffs. 

Talent-wise, they are the best in the league. They will show this in the playoffs this year. 

Dallas Mavericks

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks puts up a shot in front of Rashard Lewis #9 of the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on February 26, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agree

Until the Dallas Mavericks get rid of Dirk Nowitzki, they will be a contender for the NBA title.

The Mavericks have a very well-rounded team and as long as they can hold onto the No. 2 seed in the West, they will move onto the next round of the playoffs.

However, if the Mavericks drop to the third seed in the West, they will have an interesting matchup against the New Orleans Hornets.

The Mavericks have a good player at every single position and they have the most depth in the league. 

Oklahoma City Thunder

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder competes in the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest apart of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansez

The Oklahoma City Thunder have the best scorer in the NBA in Kevin Durant. This man is a machine and he is going to lead his team to the second round of the playoffs.

As of right now, the Thunder would have to play the Denver Nuggets, which would be a great first-round series.

However, Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder would be too much for Denver to handle. 

Chicago Bulls

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket while being guarded by John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizardsat the Verizon Center in Washington on February 28, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

The Chicago Bulls are a very good team this year and they are showing that they can be contenders in the NBA. 

Derrick Rose is having an MVP season and this team can really do some damage come playoff time.

As of right now, they are matched up against the New York Knicks, which would be a very interesting series.

The Knicks lead the regular-season series 2-0.

However, the Knicks are going to go on a hot streak and move up the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are not only going to move onto the second round, but they are going to make it to the Eastern Finals.

New York Knicks

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MIAMI, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 and Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks talk during a game against the the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on February 27, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

The Knicks are the sixth-best team in the Eastern Conference. However, this will not stay that way.

They are going to go on a hot streak and Carmelo Anthony will prove he belongs in New York. New York has way too much star power not to make a run in the playoffs.

Although they would most likely have to play the Orlando Magic in the first round, they are a better team and would beat the Magic in a seven-game series.

Los Angeles Lakers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after making a three-point basket in the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on February 22, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the

Although the Lakers are not the same team they have been the past two years, they are still a very good team.

They will have no problem making it to the second round of the playoffs.

The Lakers are still good enough to compete in the league and until they are beaten, they are still the team to beat. 

Although other teams have gotten a lot better this season, the Los Angeles Lakers are still the Los Angeles Lakers.

They still have Kobe Bryant and as long as they do, they will be one of the best teams in the NBA year after year.

The Lakers will walk into the second round.