Strength in numbers once more will probably be put to the take a look at for the Miami Heat within the NBA playoffs.
In the opening spherical, it was all for one, with 4 totally different main scorers in 5 video games, and all defensive eyes on Trae Young.
Erik Spoelstra’s staff in the end aced that take a look at in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks.
This time, in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers, a best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal collection that opens Monday at FTX Arena, the problem figures to come back in triplicate, based mostly on the 76ers’ potentialities with heart Joel Embiid and guards James Harden and Tyrese Maxey.
For the Heat, the counter will probably be waves of our bodies, waves of defensive stress, and, probably, waves of followers trying to maximise the homecourt benefit.
“I mean, they’re good,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers mentioned of the approaching collection. “They’re deep. They’re veterans. We are going to play grown men, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Considering Harden has but to face the Heat in a 76ers uniform, and contemplating Heat heart Bam Adebayo participated in solely two of the season’s 4 conferences of the groups, the 2-2 collection cut up affords restricted perception into what comes subsequent.
With the 76ers arriving with respect for the upper seed.
“It’s going to be a challenge for us,” ahead Tobias Harris mentioned.
Ultimately what’s going to come subsequent for the collection winner is a spot within the Eastern Conference finals in opposition to the winner of the Boston Celtics-Milwaukee Bucks collection that opens Sunday in Boston.
So how will it play out? Several matchups will probably be telling.
Center: This would be the prime focus, contemplating the power of Embiid to dominate not solely within the paint, but additionally with silky jumpers that vary past the 3-point line. However, Embiid is also taking part in with a sprained proper thumb that can require offseason surgical procedure. Adebayo, whereas missing such an offensive repertoire, affords the power to modify on to any Philadelphia participant, together with Harden and Maxey. Edge: 76ers.
Power ahead: A wildcard within the collection may very well be the 76ers’ Harris, who has the instruments to place collectively a breakout offensive efficiency however hardly ever does. On the opposite facet is the Heat’s P.J. Tucker, who has his personal capacity to dominate on the defensive finish. Considering the chances of crossmatches and the utilization of zone by each groups, it stays to be seen how a lot the 2 match up. Edge: Even.
Small ahead: Jimmy Butler usually will get up for matchups in opposition to his former groups, with that edginess to transcend his friendship with Embiid. This is a matchup the place Butler would possibly must method the offensive ranges he reached in opposition to the Hawks. While the 76ers’ Danny Green has championship pedigree, he largely was uneven in opposition to the Raptors. Matisse Thybulle might additionally come into play right here. Edge: Heat.
Shooting guard: Maxey has been a revelation over the second half of the season, arguably Philadelphia’s second greatest participant. Max Strus, against this, largely is a complementary part for the Heat. Expect a crossmatch right here as effectively. It is extremely unlikely Strus winds up defending Maxey regularly, if in any respect. Edge: 76ers.
Point guard: There was some extent when Harden was a given when it got here to successful his matchup. This is just not that point. Like Butler, determine on Kyle Lowry getting as much as play in opposition to his hometown 76ers, simply as he did in the course of the Raptors run to their 2019 NBA championship. Again, count on a potential crossmatch right here, with Butler or presumably even Tucker the opening defender in opposition to Harden. Edge: Heat.
Bench: This may very well be the swing vote within the collection. The 76ers have “sometimes” depth. The Heat thrive with their depth, be it Tyler Herro, Victor Oladipo, Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin or Duncan Robinson. Worth watching right here is how a lot, if in any respect, the 76ers go along with a backup heart. If they don’t, alternatives may very well be restricted for the Heat’s Dewayne Dedmon, as was the case together with his two minutes of motion in Tuesday’s clincher in opposition to the Hawks. Edge: Heat.
Coach: Both the Heat’s Erik Spoelstra and 76ers’ Doc Rivers this season had been named Top 15 coaches of all-time by their friends. So there will probably be high quality on the sidelines. But the truth is that the newest pattern measurement favors Spoelsrta, together with the best way this season’s first spherical performed out. Edge: Heat.
Intangibles: There are two main parts right here. First, the Heat maintain homecourt benefit. And this may very well be a collection the place all seven video games are required. Then there’s the damage ingredient, from Lowry’s hamstring pressure to Butler’s knee soreness to Embiid’s thumb. Any attrition might sway the stability. Edge: Heat.
Prediction: Heat in six.
Heat vs. 76ers
(Best-of-7)
Game 1: Monday, FTX Arena, 7:30 p.m., TNT.
Game 2: May 4, FTX Arena, 7:30 p.m., TNT.
Game 3: May 6: Wells Fargo Center, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 4: May 8, Wells Fargo Center, Time TBA, TV TBA
Game 5*: May 10, FTX Arena, Time TBA, TNT.
Game 6*: May 12, Wells Fargo Center, Time TBA, ESPN.
Game 7*: May 15, FTX Arena, Time TBA, TV TBA
* – If needed.
(Note: No native tv.)
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Source: www.bostonherald.com