NBA Playoffs 2011: 10 Bold Predictions for Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat
It's finally time to see who will advance out of the Eastern Conference Finals to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.
As expected when the regular season ended, it has come down to the MVP Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls and the collaboration of supreme talent in South Beach.
Who will prevail? The seemingly favored and stacked Miami Heat? Or the team that smashed preseason expectations in the Chicago Bulls?
Here are my 10 predictions for this series.
LeBron James Will Get at Least One Triple-Double
1 of 10
LeBron James had four triple-doubles in the regular season but has yet to attain that accomplishment in the postseason.
That will change during the Eastern Conference Finals.
During at least one of these games, James will post double-digit points, assists and rebounds.
Derrick Rose Will Score 45-Plus in One Game
2 of 10
Derrick Rose scored a career-high 44 points in the previous series against the Atlanta Hawks. During the Eastern Conference Finals, he will break that mark once again, scoring over 45 points again the Heat.
In at least one game he'll be the only Bull knocking down shots and will have to take over the game single-handedly in order to keep his team in contention for the win.
Side prediction: Rose will break LeBron's ankles at least once.
Only One Game Will Be Decided by More Than 10 Points
3 of 10
The three regular-season games were decided by a whopping eight points...combined.
This series will be no different with the exception of one game in which one team will pull away at the end.
Dwyane Wade Will Shoot Below 25 Percent in One Game
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Keith Bogans and Ronnie Brewer both play excellent defense.
Their target in this series? Dwyane Wade.
In at least one of these games, Wade is going to be completely shut down by the Bulls' defensive-minded guards.
LeBron James Will Have to Guard Derrick Rose
5 of 10
Mike Bibby and Mario Chalmers will not be able to consistently stick with the speed, strength and ability of the league's MVP.
Expect LeBron James to pick up the duty of trying to slow Rose down.
This should create mismatches at other positions, and the Bulls will have to hope to take advantage.
Carlos Boozer Will Not Maintain His Game 6 Performance Against Atlanta
6 of 10
Will Carlos Boozer be hearing "boos" or "Booze?" I
n all likelihood, it will go back to the former.
The Heat will stick closely to Boozer, unlike what the Hawks did in Game 6, and shut him down the way he was during the majority of the postseason. A best-case scenario for the Bulls would be for him and Bosh to cancel each other out.
Kyle Korver Will Score 15 Points in One Game
7 of 10
Kyle Korver struggled through part of the Atlanta series, but he will regain his composure in the Eastern Conference Finals.
During at least one of the games, Korver will catch fire and give the Bulls a 15-point boost off of the bench.
Joakim Noah Will Put LeBron James on the Floor
8 of 10
Joakim Noah is a hard-nosed, energetic defender.
During this series, he will put a hard foul on James on a drive and send him down to the floor.
This will result in a war of words, along with a technical foul.
Joakim Noah Will Get Four Blocks in Game 1
9 of 10
The Heat aren't exactly spectacular at the center position.
That means Joakim Noah can play help defense at times, which will give him more opportunities for blocks.
The Miami Heat Will Win in 6
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Does anybody remember the 2008 series between the Bulls and Boston Celtics? This series will be similar in how competitive it is, but will end one game sooner.
The Bulls are just one player and one year away.
Thanks for the read. Don't be afraid to share your own bold predictions!
