When the Nets traded for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett from the Celtics last summer, they added a pair of players with a history of postseason bad blood with Miami’s Big Three of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. So naturally this $190 million Nets roster now collides with the Heat to resume the feud in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
After surviving a first-round slugfest with the Raptors, the Nets will feel they can give the two-time defending champions all they can handle. They swept all four regular-season meetings – something no other team has done since the Big Three was assembled in 2010.
Despite the Nets’ pristine record against Miami, they are still clear underdogs heading into the series. The Heat hold homecourt advantage, have had a full week of rest after sweeping the Bobcats and the four games this season were decided by the slimmest of margins – the Nets won three by one point and the fourth went to double overtime.
Here are the matchups:
Point guard
Deron Williams vs. Mario Chalmers
When Williams was aggressive and in attack mode against the Raptors, the Nets were the better team. Going up against Chalmers, the Nets need Williams to win this matchup – and win it convincingly – if they want to knock off the two-time defending champs.
Chalmers might be known more for being yelled at by the Heat’s stars than for his play on the court, but he’s grown into a guy who the Heat trust to make a big shot when he’s open – and he’ll never hesitate to shoot it.
Advantage: Nets
Shooting guard
Shaun Livingston/Alan Anderson vs. Dwayne Wade
Both players are listed because Nets coach Jason Kidd could go with either as the starter. If it’s Livingston, expect him to post up the smaller Wade and try to harass him defensively on the perimeter. Anderson is a better 3-point shooter and a more physical defender.
Wade is finally healthy after the Heat went through an elaborate routine this season to keep him as healthy as possible heading into the playoffs. We’ll see if keeping him in bubble wrap – and limiting his time to develop chemistry with LeBron James – will pay off.
Advantage: Heat
Small forward
Joe Johnson vs. LeBron James
Johnson backed up a regular season in which he was the most consistent Net by being the anchor in the seven-game win over the Raptors, averaging 21.9 points and getting one huge basket after another – particularly down the stretch of Game 7.
What needs to be said about James? He won’t win this year’s MVP trophy, but when he’s on his game, he’s the best player in the world. The Nets will have their hands full trying to slow him down enough to have a chance.
Advantage: Heat
Power forward
Paul Pierce vs. Udonis Haslem/Shane Battier
Pierce made the play of the season when he blocked Kyle Lowry’s potential game-winning shot at the buzzer in Game 7, but struggled at times dealing with the size of the Raptors’ Amir Johnson. He should have an easier time against the Heat, who will be using Haslem or Battier.
Both players have been key contributors to the Heat over the past few years, but appear to be coming to the end of the line. Battier has said this will be his final season. Haslem offers a more rugged approach — like Johnson did for Toronto — while Battier would serve as a floor-spacing forward.
Advantage: Nets
Center
Kevin Garnett vs. Chris Bosh
Garnett was up and down in the first five games of the series, playing about 20 minutes per game. Kidd upped Garnett’s minutes to 25-plus in Games 6 and 7, and he responded by playing his two best games of the series – including a 12-point, 11-rebound Game 7 for his first double-double since Feb. 1.
Bosh has become one of the most underrated players in the NBA since going to Miami because of the star power of James and Wade. He has become a much different player, now a terrific defender who is able to space the floor out to the 3-point line. He went 9-for-13 on 3-point tries in the first-round sweep over the Bobcats.
Advantage: Heat
Bench
After a rough start, the Nets got big bench contributions from players such as Andray Blatche, Marcus Thornton and Mirza Teletovic as the first round went on. Andrei Kirilenko, who barely played against the Raptors, will likely see a much bigger role against the Heat.
The Heat will definitely play Norris Cole, Ray Allen and Chris Andersen off the bench, but after that it is up in the air. Haslem, Battier and James Jones have all gotten run at various points.
Advantage: Nets
Coaching
Jason Kidd vs. Erik Spoelstra
Kidd became the first rookie coach to win Game 7 on the road by leading the Nets to Sunday’s win over Toronto, and made several impressive adjustments during the series, including moving Anderson into the starting lineup and giving Mason Plumlee’s minutes to Andray Blatche.
It’s hard to argue with the way Spoelstra has coached the two-time defending champions over the past few seasons. He is in his early 40s, but is considered to be among the game’s elite coaches.
Advantage: Heat
Prediction
The Nets have the right combination of size and length on the perimeter, strong point guard play and 3-point shooting to give Miami fits. It also does not hurt that Pierce and Garnett have played against James, Wade and Bosh as much as anyone, and the Nets won’t be in awe of the Heat.
Before the season began, I predicted the Nets would lose in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the second-seeded Heat. The Nets will give the Heat a run for their money, but in the end, James will make that original prediction come true.
Heat in 7