With the Miami Heat awaiting their fates, as far as who they will play in the opening round of the playoffs, there could be a ton of questions asked. After avoiding Brooklyn early and the harsher side of the Eastern Conference bracket, you have to wonder how Miami matches up with the three teams left in the mix for eight.
While any of the teams left present their own challenges, there has to be one that gives the Miami Heat and fans alike more calm than others. That’s the purpose today.
In the newest Miami Heat roundtable, we tackle the question. Who is the preferred first-round opponent?
Isiah’s Take (@IsiahCurryNBA) – Charlotte Hornets
Let’s clear this up, first. Out of the Heat’s three possible first-round opponents, it’s without question that the Cavaliers should be the least desirable.
Miami has struggled in the past with Cleveland’s defense and length but the Cavaliers haven’t proven to be a reliable half-court offense, with the exception of Darius Garland. Another concern for Miami would be the likelihood that Jarrett Allen returns if the Cavaliers win the Play-In Game for the 8th seed after failing to upset Brooklyn on Tuesday.
Despite their situation with Cleveland, the Miami Heat hold a winning regular-season record against both the Hornets and Hawks. All year long, they’ve utilized their abilities to mismatch-hunt as Charlotte and Atlanta each finished at the bottom 10 in Defensive Rating.
As explosive of an offensive dynamo as Trae Young is for Atlanta or LaMelo Ball is for Charlotte, Miami has several weapons, primarily with Jimmy Butler, that can draw the switch and exploit that mismatch.
You can flip a coin between Charlotte and Atlanta, as the Hawks haven’t nearly met the high standards that were set last season. Nonetheless, if Miami managed to go unblemished and defeat Charlotte, 4-0, in their season series, it’s clear that they could certainly do it all over again in the opening round.
Miami Heat Roundtable: Preferred Round 1 NBA Playoff Opponent – Will’s Take
The NBA Playoffs are starting to ramp up and while most teams are sketching out game plans for their opponent, the first seeded Miami Heat are still waiting to find out who they’re going to play.
Will’s Take (@crackseason) – Charlotte Hornets
There are only three teams left that the Heat could play and those would be the Hawks, Hornets, or the Cavaliers. The Heat should be super confident, no matter who they play, but is there a preference?
I think there is. The Hornets should be the team that Miami is hoping to face in the first round.
The Hornets have a lot of young talent who can score the ball, but the young guys struggle with the elite defense in Miami. Miami posts the fourth-best defensive rating against the Hornets with a rating of 99.8.
We all know the game slows down in the playoffs and an efficient half-court offense matters. The Hornets love to run the ball, but when the game slows down, so does their decision-making.
With Jimmy Butler lurking in the passing lanes and Bam Adebayo wreaking havoc like the DPOY that he is, Miami will feed off the inexperience of the Hornets. Defensively there’s not much else Charlotte can do to slow down Miami’s Big 4 of Bam, Jimmy, Kyle Lowry, and Tyler Herro.
Miami is, simply, more experienced, has the better coach, and is the all-around better team. Miami swept the season series and I expect the same come during playoff time if the Hornets do, in fact, secure that eighth spot.
Miami Heat Roundtable: Preferred Round 1 NBA Playoff Opponent – Noah’s Take
The Miami Heat should have a very good chance to defeat all three teams they could possibly face in the first round. I would prefer that the Heat face the Charlotte Hornets in the first round though, for a number of reasons.
Noah’s Take (@ndeckerbuckets) – Charlotte Hornets
Let’s begin with why I would rather not face the other two teams. Beginning with the Cleveland Cavaliers, they have been one of the surprises this year.
For most of the season, they have looked very strong, but they have collapsed recently. The Cavs have been plagued with injuries all year, but the one that has negatively affected them the most is the loss of breakout star, Jarrett Allen.
Allen’s rim protection made a big impact on the defensive end for Cleveland. It also allowed them to play multiple bigs at the same time, having a size advantage on teams.
There is a chance that Jarrett Allen could be returning to Cleveland’s lineup soon. If he does, they will be a better team than we have seen recently.
This could be problematic for Miami. While they have the roster flexibility to play big, their main rotation relies on playing on the smaller side.
If Cleveland plays bigger than Miami, they will have a chance to get more rebounds. If they get more rebounds, they get more possessions.
If they get more possessions, they make more shots. The Heat have a better overall team than the Cavs, but with key defensive players and fearless young stars like Darius Garland, Cleveland becomes a more difficult matchup than anticipated.
Next up, we have the Atlanta Hawks. This would probably be the most entertaining matchup that could happen, but the Heat winning the series is my biggest concern.
Last postseason, Trae Young showed us that he is a performer and he lives for the big moments. He stepped up his game in the postseason and led the Hawks to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
My preference to not play the Hawks comes from the unpredictability of the series created by Trae Young. He can get in your head and take you out of the game.
While the Heat are a well-coached team that seems too smart to fall for Trae’s antics, the Hawks took out the number one seed last year. It would be a shame to see that happen again.
The Hornets are the best possible team for Miami to face. First, they are a very young team and lack experience.
Their best player is an NBA sophomore who has never been to the playoffs before. Even for a player as skilled as LaMelo Ball, playing in the playoffs will be an adjustment.
The playoffs are a different environment. Second, they are not a very good defensive team.
The Heat dominate them in this category. Third, it will still be an entertaining series on both ends.
The Hornets are highflyers who fill up the highlight reel. When there is a chance to beat the team owned by Michael Jordan, there is always an incentive to play hard.
If the Hornets, somehow, find a way to get themselves into the playoffs, this will be a good series and one that the Heat would win.
Miami Heat Roundtable: Preferred Round 1 NBA Playoff Opponent – Eric’s Take
When considering the Miami Heat against Cleveland, Atlanta, or Charlotte, it’s interesting to think about which they would rather see in the first round. All three of these teams have given reasons to stay away and reasons to want to host them for round one.
Eric’s Take (@FrittsWrites) – Atlanta Hawks
Cleveland is missing a key player in Jarrett Allen, a big part of their whole scheme. Charlotte’s Gordon Hayward is also sidelined and their defense was a struggle anyway.
While those reasons should make the Heat want to play the Cavs or Hornets, there’s something in me that just wants to see Atlanta shut down. Trae Young exploded in last year’s playoffs, but has since regained his “good stats bad team status.”
His remarks earlier this season about regular season boredom came across as arrogant and entitled, and when you put all that together, it makes me just want to see Kyle Lowry tear him apart for four games. Basketball-wise, it works too.
Atlanta has a poor offensive rating, despite Young. They play at a slow pace and don’t get into transition offense much, which works towards Miami’s advantage.
The dynamic offense that Atlanta can create will be a good way for Miami to get their playoff run started defensively. But, despite all the hate for Trae, it would actually be a fun series and good for the league as well.
He shows up in big games. He’s a competitor and that’s what the game is all about.
Atlanta is probably the best team still alive in the play-in, so the Heat should take the challenge head-on. Bam Adebayo should be back in rotation from Health And Safety Protocols by then, but even with him out, I would say the Heat in five over the preferred Atlanta Hawks.
Miami Heat Roundtable: Preferred Round 1 NBA Playoff Opponent – Max’s Take
With the Brooklyn Nets beating the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, the Miami Heat now could play any of three teams entering the playoffs. Those three teams are the Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, and Cleveland.
Max’s Take (@maxmarshall136) – Charlotte Hornets
Out of those three teams though, who would I like the Miami Heat to play? As the number one seed in the east, you would usually wanna have an easy first-round matchup, because as we know, the playoffs are when the real season starts.
To be frank, you just want to get out of the first round rested.
Out of those three teams, let’s see Miami face the Charlotte Hornets.
Miami has done a really good job this year against Charlotte and more importantly, LaMelo Ball has struggled against Miami. Charlotte is young, inexperienced, and likes to play fast.
In the playoffs, teams don’t run as much as they do in the regular season. The game is slowed down and half-court offense matters much more.
It’s especially true that with Gordan Hayward being out indefinitely due to a foot injury, the Miami Heat have an advantage in talent and experience. Miami has too many guys that have been there before and know what it takes to get the job done.
The Heat have been waiting for the postseason to start. Miami should have no issues with either of the three teams, but Charlotte would be the preference.
Either way though, it’ll be Miami Heat in five games, against Charlotte, Cleveland, and/or Atlanta too.
Miami Heat Roundtable: Preferred Round 1 NBA Playoff Opponent – Kenneth’s Take
The Miami Heat would beat any of the three remaining teams left in the NBA Play-In scenario. Out of the three teams, Atlanta would scare you the most.
My Take (@K_Said_Que) – Charlotte Hornets
Atlanta has the dude that has the best combination of big game kahunas and explosiveness. The ability to be explosive, scoring-wise, is important in this equation but also having that experience of doing it on that stage before.
Trae Young has done that and even though it is just a one-off, at this moment, you don’t want to be that “two-off”. When it comes to Cleveland, the matchup is just bad.
The Miami Heat were defeated by them several times during the regular year, though without the Heat having a, somewhat, full roster until the game in which Miami won back in March.
However, the way that Cleveland approaches it, slow, methodical, and with size, just isn’t the ideal scenario for Miami.
Don’t be confused, the Miami Heat would and will beat any of these three teams in a seven-game series, it’s just that these two pose the opportunity to make it more difficult than it needs to be, thus setting the Miami Heat up to be fatigued.
That leaves you with the Charlotte Hornets. And it’s pretty simple reasoning as to why they are the preferred opposition.
In four shots this season, they never once beat the Miami Heat. They couldn’t defend the Miami Heat, but then again, who could they defend this year?
Yes, they do score a ton of points, but that’s just it. They do so because of the pace with which they play.
That works in the regular season, however, the playoffs slow down, traditionally. Their style wouldn’t work there.
So, for those reasons, their record against the Heat this year, their style of play, their lack of defensive prowess, while you can’t forget their overall playoff inexperience, the preferred choice would have to be Charlotte.
Again, the Miami Heat will play and should beat whoever lines up across from them. This just seems like the path of least resistance.
After Wednesday night, we’ll be one step closer to actually knowing who it will actually be though. As far as Sunday goes, the opening game of the playoffs for the Miami Heat, it just can’t get here soon enough.