Will the Heat vault past the Celtics? Or does Boston have the advantage? Our SBNation.com editors and team bloggers predict the outcome of the hotly anticipated second-round series.
Heat Vs. Celtics Predictions: Talent Of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade Will Overcome Boston’s Chemistry
Heat Vs. Celtics Predictions: Chris Bosh’s Success Against Kevin Garnett Vital
By David Dwork of Peninsula Is Mightier, SB Nation’s Heat blog.
Be sure to follow our Heat vs. Celtics hub for full series coverage. For more on the Heat, visit Peninsula Is Mightier. For more on the Celtics, visit CelticsBlog and SB Nation Boston.
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Heat Vs. Celtics Predictions: LeBron James-Paul Pierce Battle Should Decide Series
I do think that the first game will tell us how the rest of the series plays out. Miami desperately needs to win Game 1 to have a chance in this series. Not only would they surrender home-court advantage with a loss, but they would also kick-start the self-doubt process that has plagued them at times this year. Miami has had some great winning streaks, but when they lose, they tend to lose in bunches. They started 9-8, then won 21 of 22, lost four of five, won 12 of 14, lost five in a row, then closed by winning 15 of 18. Because they have been thrown together with so many new parts this season, they don’t have much of a foundation to fall back on when they start losing. They point fingers, sulk for a little while, then figure out something that works. But in a short playoff series, that’s not going to cut it. Boston, meanwhile, could win the series anyway if they lose Game 1, but they will give themselves an even better shot if they win.
The pick: Miami in 7.
Read Article >Heat Vs. Celtics Predictions, NBA Playoffs 2011: Can LeBron James Overcome Boston Ghosts?
