The Miami Heat begin their postseason journey for a three-peat with a series against the Charlotte Bobcats. The "Big Three" have not lost a single playoff series since joining forces, and the odds heavily favor the Heat to open the postseason.
NBA playoff odds 2014, Heat vs. Bobcats: Miami heavily favored over Charlotte
The Heat aren’t projected to have many problems discarding the Bobcats.
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Charlotte ends its era as the Bobcats with a final playoff run. The franchise has been out of the postseason since 2010. Al Jefferson moved on from his time with the Utah Jazz and provided phenomenal frontcourt production for the soon-to-be Hornets. Add in a huge year from former UConn star Kemba Walker, and Charlotte was able to cruise to extending their season beyond 82 games. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, they ran into the two-time defending NBA champions.
The Heat didn't capture the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but they're still the team to beat. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have experience, talent and the odds heavily on their side. Jefferson should give their frontcourt problems, but nothing that should deter them from advancing to the next round.
The Heat are favored to close out this series in Game 5. Here are the full series odds, via Bovada:
| Heat win in 5 | 1/1 |
| Heat win in 4 | 8/5 |
| Heat win in 6 | 5/1 |
| Heat win in 7 | 10/1 |
| Bobcats win in 6 | 33/1 |
| Bobcats win in 7 | 40/1 |
| Bobcats win in 5 | 100/1 |
| Bobcats win in 4 | 200/1 |
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