#2 Miami Heat
58-24
VS.
#1 Indiana Pacers
61-21
So far the East playoffs have been chalk. #1 versus the #2 seed. The Pacers have destroyed anyone placed in front of them. they're still feasting on smoked Buck after the 4-0 trouncing last series. The Heat have alos faced little resistance, as they lost to an injured Raptor team and Knicks team. Neither team's really been tested, but it's hard not to feel good about the Pacers chances in this as they've played full teams and have not disappointed. While the Heat have gotten a nice open lane to the Eastern Conference rim.
Advantage: Pacers
Injuries:
Heat- Goran Dragic - 6 Days - Broken Jaw (slurping Lebron)
Pacers- None
The early outlook is that Goran should be in recovery for games 1 , 2 and 3 with him back to speed at game 4. The Heat can spin this and say: We only need to win 1 away. The downside to that, is they may only have one shot with a full team against a Pacers team who's firing on all cylinders. This does put a little pressure on the Pacers to win those first two and just go 2-3 in the final 5.
Advantage: Pacers
Frontcourt: Both teams have solid but not strong frontcourts. Jonas had a strong season for the Heat and Ibaka had a very solid season on all ends of the court. Serge gets a bad name because of his contract, but at 14/9 on almost 50% shooting, he's a key for this team to win. The Pacers have Oden and Amare who pair almost perfectly together. Oden's strength is rebounding and defense and Amare's is scoring. Deng provides a kind of do all good but nothing great at the 3 which balances out the lineup well. While Omri does the same on a little smaller scale for the Heat.
Advantage: Pacers
Backcourt: Lebron and Dragic versus Deron and Shump. This is a tough one. Deron is a top 3 player in the league and Shump is a 2 way player every GM dreams of to fill their lineup. Meanwhile the Heat have athletic freak Lebron James and Goran Dragic. Lebron simply can't be stopped in the playoffs and may be one guy who can go tit for tat with Deron. Lebron is averaging 30-7-8 in the playoffs so far. Deron 28-10-6. I really think Iman and Dragic level out.
Advantage: Tie
Overall Prediction: I think the injury will play a major factor for this series unfortunately. But as they say, i'd rather be lucky than good. Sadly for the Heat, the Pacers are lucky and good.
Pacers in 6
