NBA Playoff 2011: Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers Series Preview
Matchup: #2 Heat vs. #7 Sixers
Efficiency (Points per 100 possessions):
OFF: Miami 3rd, Philadelphia 17th
DEF: Miami 5th, Philadelphia 10th
Projected Starters:
MIA: Bibby, Wade, James, Bosh, Ilgauskas
PHI: Holiday, Meeks, Iguodala, Brand, Hawes
Heat Statistical Leaders:
Sixers Statistical Leaders:
Head to Head: Miami 3-0
Oct. 27: Heat 97 @ Sixers 87
Nov. 26: @ Heat 99 Sixers 90
Mar. 25: @ Heat 111 Sixers 99
When Miami Has the Ball
The Sixers boast one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA in swingman Andre Iguodala, who will likely check LeBron James. They’re pretty athletic and versatile as a unit, but outside of Iguodala, there aren’t any guys who are premiere individual defenders. There are no shot-blocking enforcers on the interior.
Miami will look to attack the Philly defense via a wave of pick-and-rolls, something Philly does not defend well against. Expect plenty of those situations involving both James and Dwyane Wade, a simple yet lethal play.
Chris Bosh has a quickness advantage against Elton Brand, so look for the Heat big man to put it on the floor and attack him.
When Philadelphia Has the Ball
Philadelphia is going to look to run on Miami because they don’t have a good enough offense in the half court. Unfortunately for them, the Heat have shown the ability to thrive in an up-tempo setting.
The Sixers lack playmakers who can create for others offensively. Their best bet is if their point guards in Jrue Holiday and Lou Williams can attack the Heat off the dribble and get into the lane, setting up open shots on the perimeter for Jodie Meeks and Thadeous Young.
Elton Brand is a nice option on the low block and it will be up to a combination of Joel Anthony and Chris Bosh to contain him.
X-Factor
Jodie Meeks, PHI – Meeks is a terror from deep, shooting 40 percent from behind the three-point line this season. Philly needs him to get hot.
Chris Bosh, MIA – When Bosh is aggressive and doesn’t settle for the mid-range jumper, he is extremely problematic to defend. By attacking the heart of the defense early he sets the tone for the entire Heat offense.
Schedule
Prediction
The scary thing is this Heat team can reach another level in the postseason.
I feel bad for opposing teams who have to go up against James and Wade when they’re locked-in defensively. The offense is always going to be there.
Philly’s best bet, like all other Heat opponents, is to try to clog the lane and hope the Heat stars settle for perimeter jumpers. And they have to hope they’re off. Also, pray shooters like James Jones and Mike Bibby are off. Basically they’re going to need to do a lot of praying to even win a game in this series.
