In the NBA Western Conference, we have a “broken bracket.” The San Antonio Spurs and L.A. Lakers (thank goodness!) went down. But in the East, we have #1 vs. #2, the match-up everyone in the media and the league wanted. The match-up we all expected, a re-match of the 1997 Conference Finals.
A match-up like requires the old NBA on NBC them from the ’90s. You know it, it’s composed by John Tesh, did you know that? And then in 2004, Nelly sampled it for the opening track on his album entitled “Sweat.”
Well, that’s enough hype for now, let’s get to the preview. “It’s getting hot in here,” so I hope you’re reading this shirtless, cause I’m certainly typing it that way.
By Paul M. Banks
The Chicago Bulls might have owned the Miami Heat this regular season, but Chicago fans shouldn’t let that 3-0 mark versus the NBA signature villains fool them into complacency. And that’s especially difficult; given how the last time the teams met, the Bulls literally made them cry.
The cliche is true; NBA playoff basketball is a totally different animal (especially this year since the East has gained so much strength). Bulls fans don’t have to look back any further than the last time (prior to this season) that they won a playoff series.
In 2007, the Bulls swept the Heat in the first round then took on the Detroit Pistons in the semis. Bulls owned the regular season series with their greatest of rivals; but when playoff time came, the tables were turned a complete 180 degrees.
However, the Bulls will win if……..
Derrick Rose average 30+ ppg for the series
His series scoring average has increased in every series he’s played; four in a row. Needs to become five. Rose is cole-blooded and has the Michael Jordanesque ambition and drive. He’ll need it here just to survive
Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng, become legitimate second and third options
You saw that- THE Boozer who put up 23 and 10in the Atlanta Hawks close-out game. If that guy is around, and Deng consistently gets space to knock down that mid-range and baseline jumper, the Bulls will have three legitimate scoring options, and the Heat defense will be helpless
Kyle Korver outplays James Jones
In the battle of 3-pt specialists, if “Hot Sauce” is spicy, the Heat bench will looked cooled off by comparison, and that advantage will be enough to give Chicago the decisive advantage
Defense Forces Transition
The Bulls calling cards all season long were defense and rebounding. They need to get tipped balls, steals, run-outs, forced turnovers into the open court early and often
The Heat will Win if……
The big two don’t have too many off-shooting nights
Dwanye Wade and Lebron James will get theirs. Period. The question is- do they get by slashing to the hole or by the outside? Can they each get 25 points in less than 20 shots or more than 25? These are important questions that will need to be answered
Chris Bosh needs to join the big three
Considered the runt of the big three litter, this is his time to prove he’s more than that. And not just by scoring, it’s through the other components of the score sheet that he can make his true imprint on the series
James Jones vastly outplays Kyle Korver
Hate to be redundant from the first part, but it’s a deciding factor. Really, it’ll be overlooked, but to quote Al Pacino in the “Any Given Sunday” peace by inches speech. “The margin for error is so small, one step too late or too soon and you don’t quite make it.”
Erik Spoelstra channels his inner Red Auerbach
Let’s see what a tactician he is; what defenses he has planned to stop Rose. Should be interesting.
Prediction: Heat in 6
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and Facebook