The time that players and fans alike salivate for all year is finally here. After 80-plus games, and plenty of high jinks and untold drama, the league is gearing up for the 2013 NBA Playoffs. Given the stakes and intensity involved, it often feels like a whole different season rears up its head come playoff time. A season 2.0, if you will.
To help you navigate through the first-round scenarios, SJN will be breaking down all of the matchups for you―offering lineups, schedules, and predictions.
Eastern Conference:
Milwaukee Bucks (8) vs. Miami Heat (1)
Schedule:
Game 1 – Sun April 21, Milwaukee at Miami, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 2 – Tue April 23, Milwaukee at Miami, 7:30 p.m., NBA TV
Game 3 – Thu April 25, Miami at Milwaukee, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 4 – Sun April 28, Miami at Milwaukee, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 5 – Tue April 30, Milwaukee at Miami, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
Game 6 – Thu May 2, Miami at Milwaukee, TBD, TBD (if necessary)
Game 7 – Sat May 4, Milwaukee at Miami, TBD, TNT (if necessary)
The only chance the Bucks have in this series is if one of Miami’s Big 3 goes down with injury or if Larry Sanders plays Bill Russell-like. Other than that, Miami has a clear path to round 2.
On top of having the league’s best player, Miami has a very good defense, a long line of snipers, and the best-rated offense in the league. The way everyone talks about the Heat, it seems like the postseason is being treated as little more than ceremony. When reminded of their 27-game win streak, and that they posted the highest effective field goal percentage in history, the talking heads might be onto something.
Bucks fans should have their hopes riding on Larry Sanders’ ability to play heavy, heavy minutes. His presence has stifled Miami, as they’ve only scored 93.4 points per 100 possessions with him crowding the paint. When off the court, LeBron has been near perfect (15-17 in the restricted area).
Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis, if hot, can easily help pull off an upset, but are too inconsistent to realistically be able to accomplish such. They also don’t seem to play well together, as Monta Ellis is a minus-151 when playing alongside the quick-handed point guard.
Having your two best players playing uncomplimentary basketball, spells disaster for any squad.
Outcome:
Miami Heat 4-0 Milwaukee Bucks
