2011 NBA Playoff Predictions: 10 Reasons the Miami Heat Will Win the East
With only one game remaining in the 2010-11 season it is impossible to ignore the momentum the Miami Heat have leading into the playoffs.
The Miami Heat's 2010-11 campaign has been filled with ups and downs, consistent reformation and uncertainty however the masks are coming off. The Miami Heat are beginning to show the world what they are capable of.
The most significant Heat victory has came in the 80th game of the season. Despite losing three games to the Celtics this season, this past weekend saw the Heat dominate, exploit and dissect the Boston Celtics, who also happen to be the number three seed in the East.
The Heat finally showed toughness and they finally showed the world what they were waiting to see: heart.
LeBron James and company have managed to steer the Heat in the right direction. After 81 games, the Miami Heat are ready to contend for a championship.
Here are 10 reasons as to why they will win the East and make it to the NBA Finals.
Pat Riley's Invaluable Experience
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Despite taking a more reserved role this season, one cannot underestimate the value of Pat Riley.
He is a proven winner as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. He would love the opportunity to win as an executive. It is safe to say that Pat Riley knows what it takes to win, he has played an influential role in seven championships over his career as a player and as a coach.
This season, we have witnessed a soft-spoken, seemingly less influential Pat Riley. However make no mistake about it, Pat Riley, as an executive feels this team could win.
If there is a deviation in focus or if the team is not responding well during the post season, expect Pat Riley to intervene.
He won't return to the sidelines but you better believe that the man who has been involved with basketball at the professional level since 1967 will not let things get out of control.
He will play an instrumental role in the Heat re-adjusting their focus and drive during this upcoming post season.
The fact that he brings an invaluable amount of experience to the table will allow the Heat to conquer the East.
Udonis Haslem's Inevitable Return
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While the Miami Heat have had an exceptional season, they have been without their enforcer for most of their campaign. It is safe to say that Udonis Haslem has not has not had a big impact on the team this season.
This could very well change.
The Heat have been mum on his status and while he has suffered setbacks during practices, it is almost certain that Udonis Haslem will see the floor during the post season. His status remains unclear and it is expected that he will not play during the first round.
However as the Heat go deep in the playoffs, expect Miami's hometown boy to make a return and have a positive impact. He allows them to have a strong inside presence that could potentially wreak havoc for other teams.
The Miami Heat have been good without Udonis Haslem, they will be great once he is on the floor.
The Miami Heat Know What to Expect
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After 81 games it is safe to say the Miami Heat know what to expect.
They have been to every NBA arena, have played every team and have dealt with every hostile environment imaginable.
There are no more surprises.
They know that they are the NBA's most hated bunch. They are also well aware that have played every team on its best night. There is no surprise that there is a bulls-eye on their backs because every team wants a piece of the Miami Heat.
They have gone 81 games enduring this type of behavior and they know what to expect. The fact is, as the season has progressed they have become better conditioned with other NBA teams and their arenas.
This is a huge benefit in the playoffs and this conditioning could very well be the factor that leads them to the Eastern Conference title.
Ability to Handle Adversity
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Often overshadowed by their on-court performance are the things that the Miami Heat have been forced to deal with off the court.
LeBron James' mother was recently arrested after a confrontation with a valet attendant. This season Dwyane Wade, after a messy divorce, has won custody of his children.
This team has dealt with various issues including "cry-gate," a term used to describe the situation in the locker room after it was revealed that some players were moved to tears after a loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Being in the spotlight means you have to deal with more issues off the court than the average team. Despite all the obstacles, the Heat have had a great season, exemplified with their 57-24 record.
The fact that the Heat have been able to handle adversity in a positive manner and put forth a great season just shows that they are ready for the post season and nothing could stop them.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
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The Miami Heat are the only team in the NBA to be in the top five when it comes to offensive and defensive efficiency.
They are well balanced and can break opponents down from ends of the floor.
Here are some other intriguing numbers:
The Miami Heat are ranked number one in average score margin (+7.3). They have the best two-point shooting percentage in the NBA (51.6%). They attempt the third highest amount of free throws per game (28.1). Lastly they get the most defensive rebounds per game (32.6).
In conclusion, they shoot the best two point field-goals, get to the line the most in the league, get more defensive rebounds than any other team in the league and they win by the highest margin.
These are all the more reasons as to why the Heat will win the East.
Chris Bosh Is Playing to His Potential
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Critics have spent a lot of time wondering when the real Chris Bosh will show up.
It appears as though he is here and he is here to stay.
Despite his numbers being slightly down from previous seasons, Bosh is looking increasingly comfortable with his role in the team. During the last five games he is shooting a spectacular .589% from the field. He averages .492% for his career.
This is indicative of the fact that his shot selection has gotten better, he is driving to the basket as opposed to shooting elbow jumpers. In return, he is being rewarded with the ball in his hands, he is shooting better and is getting to the line.
Chris Bosh has finally come out to play, making the Miami Heat's chances at winning the East even better.
The Big Three
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The 1986-87 Boston Celtics won the Eastern Conference title that season. They were led by the "big three" in Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parrish. The Celtics big three averaged 71.7 points per game during the course of the season.
The Miami Heat's big three is currently averaging 71.0 points per game. Every team knows that the ball is likely to fall in the hands of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Yet after 81 games no team has been able to completely shut them out.
The big three plays exceptional defense, is a force to be reckon with on the offensive side of the floor and have dominated teams throughout the season.
Expect the big three to continue this domination well into the postseason and right into the NBA Finals.
The Competition Simply Is Not as Strong
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The Miami Heat's top three biggest Eastern competitors simply aren't as strong.
The Boston Celtics seemed like a legit threat until Kendrick Perkins was traded. They now resemble a team without a pulse. A few days ago the Miami Heat made both Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen ineffective, they out-hustled the Celtics and thoroughly outplayed them which led to a 23 point victory for the Heat.
It is simple, without Perkins the Celtics are not the same.
The Chicago Bulls have had a terrific season that sees them ranked number one in the East going into the postseason.
Yet their are noticeable cracks in this foundation.
They rank 19th in the league when it comes to scoring points per game: 98.6. They struggle to score fast-break points and are an atrocious 74% from the free-throw line. This could prove to be costly in the dying moments of the game when free-throws could make the difference between playing for an NBA Title or shooting a round of golf.
Let us not forget, the Bulls rely heavily on Derrick Rose and a few bad shooting nights means they could sink rather than swim.
The Orlando Magic are near the bottom of the league in assists, points in the paint, and shoot a league worst 69% from the free throw line. Much of their offense is run through Dwight Howard. Their lack of versatility makes them weaker than the Heat.
In the end, the Eastern Conference Title is the Heat's to lose.
The 14th Lineup
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It has taken 81 games but coach Spoelstra feels as though he has the right lineup heading into the playoffs. The previous 13 were an experiment and he feels as though he finally has the lineup that works.
The Heat have opted to use Mike Bibby as point guard and Zydrunas Ilgauskas as the starting center to compliment the big three. With Bibby in the starting lineup the Heat are 7-1. With Ilgauskas in the starting lineup the Heat are 39-11.
Since implementing this playoff-ready lineup the Heat are 3-0 and the players are looking more comfortable. The players spread the floor more often and have maintained an inside and outside offensive threat in IIgauskas.
They are flourishing with the 14th lineup for the season and expect the Heat to use this starting five throughout the postseason.
They have not lost with them thus far and don't expect them to lost much with this lineup in the playoffs.
LeBron James Is Answering His Critics
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During the last ten games LeBron has shot .579% from the field. His career field-goal percentage is .479%. He is averaging nearly eight rebounds per game over the last ten games and his incredible offensive efficiency throughout the season has been unheralded.
Despite playing on a team with other stars, he is a quietly becoming a one man show yet still getting his teammates involved by averaging seven assists per game.
He is a man on a mission.
It is simple, LeBron James is playing a game against the world. He wants to quiet those who said he made the wrong choice by leaving Cleveland and joining the Heat. He wants to stick it to the face of those who said he would never win in a Heat uniform. He wants to quiet the laughter from those who viewed the debacle, better yet known as "The Decision," last off season.
He is a man possessed with proving everyone wrong. Slowly but surely, he has taken the Miami Heat and put them on his back. As the season has progressed he has only gotten better.
When LeBron James wants to play, there is nobody and nothing in the world that could stop him. He simply dominates.
Over the past ten games his contribution to the team has been insurmountable with the Heat producing an 8-2 record.
LeBron James has not won at the highest level and sees this as the opportunity for him to finally quiet all his critics.
When he is playing the way he has been playing as of late, there is nothing that could stand in his way. He adjusts when needed, he takes over when needed and he evolves into a leader on the court.
With the way LeBron James is playing, the Heat could very be playing until mid-June.
