Eastern Conference Second Round
#2 Miami (52-30) vs. #3 New Jersey (49-33)
Miami can win if… Dwyane Wade outperforms Vince Carter, Shaquille O'Neal stays out of foul trouble long enough to average 25-plus points and 10-plus rebounds and either Antoine Walker, Jason Williams or James Posey is a viable third scoring option.
New Jersey will win because…their perimeter players will attack Miami in the paint, create high percentage shots and get O'Neal in foul trouble. In round one, Chicago showed the blueprint to beat Miami but just did not have the horses to complete the job.
Other things to consider: New Jersey is a talented team that is loaded with playoff veterans; Miami is also loaded with playoff veterans, but several of them are well past their prime. The Nets beat Miami 3-1 in the regular season. Miami has had trouble all year long defending high scoring wing players, including Vince Carter, who lit up the Heat on several occasions. Make no mistake about it, though, this series will be tough. The Heat have the home court advantage and will not go down without a fight but New Jersey will ultimately prevail.
Miami Versus New Jersey Preview
