This is good, once again we are underrated. As soon as we take the lead in this series everyone is going to hop on the Heat bandwagon like they did against Detroit. Yes our perimeter defense isn't the greatest but neither are Dallas perimeter scorers. Howard and Terry have both been on and off in the Phoenix series. You can bet we will have an answer for Dirk, we will play team defense and most likely you will see Shannon Anderson in to give him some trouble. His height is a problem but if we defend him as a team we can probably limit what he does scoring wise. As far as our bench, we have done a great job so far with Payton, Posey and Zo coming off the bench so I don't think that will be a problem either.Wade isn't that bad of a defender either, he usually hustles back on defense and tends to make lots of good blocks as well.
Adrian Griffin will start off guarding Wade. I think starting Howard on Wade is a mistake and could cause foul trouble for Josh Howard. Maybe Harris will get some opportunities on Wade also. At the end of games though I would go with Howard on Wade. Also Miami has a disadvantage at the end of games because of the hackashaq. Dirk Nowitzki could play center and they foul Shaq on purpose. On the other side of the floor it is a big mismatch so the end of games favor Dallas.
If I were a Heat fan I would be downright embarrassed that people are making references to an underperforming Pistons team and an overperforming Suns team.I don't think the Heat taking the lead in game one should get anyone excited (unless they get blown out or something), since Dallas lost game one against San Antonio, Phoenix, and the first two against Houston last year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>"I really don't like our odds... Heat in 7." A win on the road for Miami? Well, man, don't make predicitions when you don't know $hit.</div>Look who's talking birdbrain, Miami's one of the best road teams in the league and have been especially during the playoffs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LightsOut @ Jun 5 2006, 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Look who's talking birdbrain, Miami's one of the best road teams in the league and have been especially during the playoffs.</div>Against who? Chicago? NJ? Detroit who were taken to 7 by the cavs?
Dallas should win this in 6 games, the heat will be good, but the mavs should have enough to win this series. Dirk will be finals MVP.
I have the Heat in 7. I think that Wade will have a huge series. He made the Pistons look terrible on defense and the Mavericks will have an even tougher time with him IMO. Shaq won't go crazy, but will still average around 20 a game. Walker is the key for the Heat. If he scores more than 18 points I think the Heat win. The Mavs have a chance as long as Dirk has 24+ points a game. He has to be aggressive the entire series, and has to hit the glass. Jason Terry has to play well this series as well. He got into early foul trouble the whole Suns series, and can't do that much this series. Josh Howard is the key for the Mavs. He is a budding star and if he has 20 or more points, the Mavs dont lose. He shouldn't have to tough a time against Antoine. Even though the Pistons lost, if I had my druthers for a series not including them, this is it. I don't think it will be an all time classic, but it will be a great series.
I say the Heat. Wade is versatile, and score in most situations. He can try to drive in and slam the ball down or lay it in. And if he gets trapped driving in, he can dribble back and fire off a quick turn around over the defense.Shaq is a beast down low. I don't have to explain that he won't get stopped.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (LightsOut @ Jun 4 2006, 06:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Look who's talking birdbrain, Miami's one of the best road teams in the league and have been especially during the playoffs.</div>That's true! They were only a little worse than the Mavs on the road!
