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The Heat find themselves in similar predicament, last year the Heat dusted off the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1st round and waited nearly a week for their semifinal opponent Chicago Bulls conclude their 7 game series. The Heat lost the 1st game and went on to win four straight to take the series. The Heat have undoubtedly have the best trio in the league spearheaded by Lebron James. James is carrying the load while Dwayne Wade is slowly emerging from his injury woes. Can the heat overcome their issues and advance?

The Nets finally reached the semifinals after last year heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Chicago Bulls in the 1st round . The Nets re-tooled as they acquired Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett…guys who put the fear in the Miami Heat. The Nets are a matchup headache for the Heat…this team was built to beat the heat. The Nets swept the season series (4-0) , 3 of the games were decided by a single point & the other game went to double overtime. The Nets will give the Heat its biggest test thus far.

Most Intriguing Matchups:

Lebron James vs Paul Pierce

Dwayne Wade vs Joe Johnson

The Nets Win if:  Kevin Garnett outshines Chris Bosh and Paul Pierce come through in the clutch.

The Heat Win if:the big 3 play like the big 3 of the past, Chris Bosh has to get the best of an aging KG &DWade must stay

healthy.

Prediction: Heat in 7!!!!!