Since I'm based in the Philippines, this'll be tomorrow on May 23.
Let's cut to the chase.
The Miami Heat:
the Heat's big three, Chris Bosh, Lebron James and Dwyane Wade
photo from The Sports Sofa
They've been here before. They know how it feels. They know what to do. This situation is normal for them. Hell, they're the champs and they've been in the Eastern Conference Finals for three straight seasons. They've beaten the then league MVP Derrick Rose's Chicago Bulls, toughed out game 7 against their rival, the Boston Celtics and now, their other rival, the guys who made it hell for them before the 7 games against the Celts, the Indiana Pacers are their enemies.
Obviously, the Heat will have to rely on these three players, especially Lebron, in order to win against Indy. The fact that they went 2-1 with a complete lineup against the Pacers means that it is a grudge match. Don't get mad and say that the regular season and the postseason are different machines (we all know that), just hear me out that if the Pacers were a problem what makes it different now?
Lebron has to be in constant beast mode to take the Pacers down in just 4 games.
The Indiana Pacers:
The Indiana Pacers' starting five of Stephenson, George, Hibbert, West and Hill
photo from basketball wallpapers
Who would've thought that the Pacers would oust the Knicks in the second round? I didn't, but I understood why. Like Memphis, the Pacers are an defensive juggernaut led by reigning Most Improved Player, Paul George. Unlike the Heat, this is the first taste of Eastern Conference Finals for this team and they have to mow down the well-oiled offensive machine called the Miami Heat, led by reigning Most Valuable Player, Lebron James. A quick fact is that they almost ousted the Heat last postseason in the second round, being led by Danny Granger.
This year, they went 2-1 against the Heat this season yet they still hold the status of underdogs, maybe because the Heat has Lebron, Bosh and Wade and in order for them to win a series against the champs, they have to bring their A-game. The emergence of Lance Stephenson boosts this team's chance of winning against the Heat but Paul George has to live up to his title as a Lebron stopper in order for them to advance.
Key Matchup(s):
If I would put anything general, this would be the Big 3 and the reserves (hello, Ray Allen) of the Heat against the starting five of the Pacers but I would have to be more specific.
There'll be three key matchups for today.
1. Lebron James VS. Paul George
LBJ being defended by PG24
photo from Palm Beach Post
The Most Valuable Player against the Most Improved Player. This is the major matchup of the series. Lebron is known to be a jack-of-all-trades and almost a master of all of his skills. He's just won his 4th MVP award, which shows how formidable he is against any defender but his defender in this series isn't some pushover.
He'll be against Paul George this time. Since Danny Granger went down with an injury this season, PG24's star exploded and shone brightly ever since. Thrust into a more prominent role and finally playing his natural position of small forward, he quickly gained a reputation of being, like LBJ, a jack-of-all-trades. He isn't at LBJ's level just yet, but most posts I see compare him to an evolution of Andre Iguodala (height-wise I think). He's taller than LBJ at 6'10'' and yes, has a large wingspan which would help him defend against the MVP. It doesn't hurt to have managed to limit LBJ's effectiveness because that's almost impossible.
If Paul George manages to raise his field-goal percentages up, it'll be a war.
2. Lance Stephenson VS. Dwyane Wade
Lance Stephenson guarding Dwyane Wade
photo from Terra
You may be thinking.."Is the writer on Drugs? On pot? Is he mentally insane? Why would he matchup Dwyane Wade with some nobody?"
I have to say that no, I'm not on drugs nor am I insane. If you haven't heard yet, Dwyane Wade has knee issues. You know, the kind which throws him off his insane slashing game (adapt DWade adapt, go Kobe or Jordan for once..just kidding). Also, Stephenson's on a tear lately, ever heard of shooting 25 points to close out NYK? Yeah, Lance Stephenson did that.
Again, in true Miami Heat-Indiana Pacers fashion, its all about defense against offense and Lance Stephenson has shown that he can defend AND score. Talk about filling in for Danny Granger admirably.
and for the last matchup its
3. Chris Bosh VS. Roy Hibbert
Bosh lays it up against Roy Hibbert and David West
photo from Zimbio
Wow, the Big 3 has their own matchups compared to the Spurs-Grizzlies post.
Well, it helps to have three game changers both offensively and defensively and one of them is a 6'11'' PF/C who can shoot from effing three-point range. For Bosh, he has to make sure that he can establish himself offensively, to ease up the pressure on Lebron or Wade when they're driving to the hoop. Its easier said than done against Roy Hibbert. Hibbert made Tyson Chandler look bad, yes Tyson was playing injured, but for Hibbert to shut down a player like Chandler, its an accomplishment. Now, he has a lanky sweet shooting center which can displace him and open up lanes for his slashing teammates.
Again, its defense VS. offense people!
X-FACTOR:
Miami Heat: Chris Andersen's rebounding and the performance of their reserves
Indiana Pacers: Control of the board (controlling Andersen as well) and their bench production
I singled out Birdman because he's the best rebounding big in the Heat, and we all know what the reserves can do, especially Ray Allen and defensively they have one of the best in Lebron. So for me, if Indiana can control Andersen, they will dictate the pace (pun, sorry) and once they do that, its just up to the reserves to come through. If they can make some or more of their shots to go in, it'll be a great series to watch because Indiana isn't known to be a great offensive team.
Prediction:
Indiana in 6 or 7 (if they can solve Miami's offense, it'll be a bit easier)
Miami in 5 or 6 (If Miami can solve the Pacers' defense, its theirs for the taking)
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