LeBron James ‘Always Wanted’ To Face Dwyane Wade In A Playoff Series

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

At this point in the NBA playoffs, it seems as though the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are destined to face off in the Eastern Conference Finals. LeBron James and company took a commanding 2-0 lead against the Atlanta Hawks in their second-round playoffs series on Wednesday and Dwyane Wade’s Heat are expected to do the same on Thursday against the Toronto Raptors.

The Cavaliers and Heat have already proven to be the two best team in the East during the postseason meaning LeBron will likely end up facing his former team for the first time in the playoffs. James has yet to go head-to-head against Wade in a playoff series, but the four-time NBA MVP is looking forward to the possibility, via Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com:

“I think naturally of course. That’s since I’ve came back,” James said. “It’d be great to play against those guys in the postseason. Throughout my whole career, I’ve always wanted to go against (Dwyane) Wade in a playoff series. We’ve always talked about it even before we became teammates in ’10. It’s not been heavy on my mind but it’s crossed my mind throughout my whole career.”

As of right now, the Heat are favored to advance to the East Finals over the Raptors at -195, via Sportsbook.ag.

Although the Heat is favored and appear to be the better all-around team, Miami did receive some disappointing news on Wednesday with veteran forward Chris Bosh ruled out for the rest of the playoffs. Bosh hasn’t played a single minute in the postseason due to persistent health issues, and the statement comes as no surprise, but his presence would’ve been a giant step in the right direction for the Heat.

It’ll be interesting to see how things pan out for both teams in the next week or so, but all signs point to an epic battle between former teammates for the right to advance to the NBA Finals.