Heat Opens Title Defense versus Bobcats
The two-time defending NBA Champion Miami Heat, opens up defense of its titles against Southeast Division rivals the Charlotte Bobcats on Sunday afternoon at the American Airlines Arena in Miami.
There are a number  teams standing in the Heat’s way of winning its third straight NBA title, but LeBron James and his teammates will be the heavy favorite to win their first round matchup against the Bobcats.
Miami should be confident of its chances of winning another championship with James their four-time MVP of the league and one of the NBA’s best scoring defenses.
While Miami has faced much criticism this season of putting their game on cruise control, that should not factor in during the playoffs.
Miami won all four games during the regular season versus Charlotte. Two of the four games were close. The Heat won 99-98 on December 1 and needed overtime to win 104-96 on January 18.
However, in the Heat’s last game versus Charlotte, James scored 61 points and Miami won by 17 points.
The Bobcats will be up against the wall from the start in this series. Having lost all four against the Heat in the regular season, the Bobcats will find it almost impossible winning 4 of 7 against the Heat during the postseason.
If Charlotte hopes to win one game at the very least, they will have to play exceptional defense and rebound very well. Charlotte is fourth in the NBA in scoring defense, while Miami is last in the league in rebounds.
Because of the deficiencies Miami has rebounding, Charlotte’s Al Jefferson will play a big part in the series. If he can rebound well on the offensive end, the Bobcats could upset the Heat in one game during the series.
Even though Kevin Durant is the frontrunner for league MVP this season, James is by far the MVP of his team. He can score, hand out assists and rebound as well or better than nearly everyone in the league. James leads the Heat in scoring and rebounding and is second in assists.
For Miami, a big key will be the play of Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade the other two parts of the Big Three in Miami. Wade has had injuries all season that have slowed him down.
If Bosh and Wade have solid series, not spectacular, but just solid, the Heat can easily swept the Bobcats in 4 games.
James lost in the NBA Finals in 2011, but has won his past two. The veteran forward knows what it takes to lead his team to another title.
Miami will get off to a big start in their quest for their third straight NBA championship. I like the Heat to win the series in four straight and move into the semifinals of the Eastern Conference for the fourth consecutive season.
The Heat did finish second to Indiana in the Eastern Conference but that will not come into play until the conference final and if Indiana is still around to face the Heat.
Yes, folks I have the Heat making the East final and actually reaching the NBA Finals again.
