While everyone wonders what kind of series the Chicago Bulls could have given the Miami Heat with all healthy players, I wonder if any team left in the playoffs can beat the Heat.
Chicago has played Miami pretty close if you consider all the injuries the Bulls are dealing with this season. They are a physical team testing the Heat, but don't have enough scoring punch.
Of the teams left in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, I think only the Indiana Pacers could give Miami pause on the way to the NBA Finals. The Pacers are 2-1 against the Heat this season, winning both games at home in Indiana.
But, Miami won the most recent matchup in early March, in Florida.
The Pacers are sort of a healthier version of the Bulls. The teams needs to play the physical brand of basketball Chicago is trying to play. The Pacers have more bodies than the Bulls at this point.
One drawback to the Pacers: They are wildly up and down on the road, even if nearly unbeatable at home. Indiana can lose by 30 on the road one right and come back and win on the road the next night in these playoffs.
The New York Knicks have the scoring ability to keep up with the Heat but Miami has another gear on defense that the Knicks don't seem to possess. New York has a 3-1 record against the Heat in the regular season, but I know Miami can kick it up a notch on defense in the playoffs and I wonder if the Knicks can as well.
New York will not be the physical challenge the Pacers could be as well. Beating the Heat might come down to frustrating LeBron James, Dewyane Wade and Chris Bosh with physical play in every game of the series.
If the Heat does reach the NBA Finals, I believe all four teams left in the Western Conference Playoffs could give them a fight, but only two teams could defeat Miami
The Golden State Warriors are a year away from being something special with a young team. I think they would be competitive, but I don't see them winning four games to defeat Miami. These two teams split their regular season matchup with a win apiece.
Oklahoma City has the best player not named LeBron on its roster in Kevin Durant. The Thunder would have been favorites to beat Miami until Russell Westbrook got injured. The Heat defeated the Thunder both times these teams played in the regular season.
The two teams with the best shot to dethrone the Heat out of the Western Conference are the San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies. I like the Spurs' and Grizzlies' chances against the Heat but for different reasons.
I like San Antonio because they have been to the finals before and know what it takes to win. I like Memphis because their strength, rebounding and inside scoring all play to the Heat's biggest weaknesses.
Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol could give the Heat fits and create defensive mismatches. Plus, no way is Bosh guarding Gasol effectively.
Miami won both games against the Spurs and split against the Grizzlies this season.
In the end, until someone beats the Heat they remain the huge favorites to win the NBA title.
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