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Like the Thunder in the west, the horsemen archinated the Eastern Conference, and they are impatient to transform this domination in the context of the playoffs. With Kenny Atkinson at her head, Cleveland created a real identity, and the retouching brought in February have further densified the rotation. If we may except inner rotation, there is almost no flaw in this collective. Opposite, there is the Heat, which has won only 37 matches, but which became the first training, ranked 10th, to get out of the play-in. Donovan Mitchell's partners seem to be sheltered from an “upset”, even if it is always necessary to be wary of the Heat …
Presentation of riders
Holder : D. Garland, D. Mitchell, M.strus, J. Allen, E. Mobley
Replacement : I. Okoro, T. Jerome, D. Hunter, T. Thompson, D. Wade,
Absent : none
Coach : K. Atkinson
The riders started the season with 15 wins in a row, and then they took place their basketball. There is a certain continuity with basketball advocated by JB Bickerstaff and Kenny Atkinson draws the best from a group arriving at maturity. On paper, only Celtics at their best can prevent them from reaching the finals. It would be a first in history in the franchise without LeBron James in its ranks. Extended, Donovan Mitchell has established himself as a leader by example, and there is a real hierarchy in the team.
The strong point
The richness of the workforce. Favorite for the Coach of the Year trophy, Kenny Atkinson can count on four All-Stars in his starting five, and on a high-quality “second unit” with two of the best NBA replacements (Deandre Hunter and Ty Jerome). If necessary, he can count on additional shooters like Max Strus who has become a holder and Sam Merrill at the end of the bench, or good defenders like Isaac Okoro and Tristan Thompson. In playoffs, the rotations are shortened and difficult to default the September of the riders.
The weak point
The rebound. Despite the presence of one of the best pairs of interiors in the NBA, with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, the horsemen suffer in the rebound. As proof, they are 22nd out of 30 For the percentage of opposing missed shots outlets. Clearly, riders leave 30% of offensive rebounds to their opponents. Two years ago, we remember that they were widely dominated in front of the Knicks in Playoffs. Ditto last season, with an outing in the conference semi-final.
HEAT Presentation
Holders: T. Herro, A. Burks, A. Wiggins, B. Adebayo, K. Ware
Substitutes: Da. Mitchell, D. Robinson, T. Rozier, J. Jaquez Jr, K. Anderson, K. Love, H. Highsmith, P. Larsson…
Absent: D. Smith
The coach: E. Spoelstra
The strong point
An incredible mental force. For the 6th year in a row, the Heat is in playoffs, and it still had to get out of the “play-in”. Heat is even the first team, ranked 10th, to qualify. However, the franchise lived one of the most trying seasons in its history with the Butler soap. But the Heat Culture is stronger than anything, and the latest arrivals, like Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell, quickly found their brands in this team capable of the greatest exploits. As in 2023.
The weak point
The absence of a playmaker. Like Terry Rozier and Davion Mitchell are used as Jokers, Erik Spoelstra begins meetings without real playmaker. It is therefore Tyler Herro who plays the Devin Booker with, both, the responsibility for creation and the outdoor shoot. It is using, and it also forces him to defend on faster and smaller elements. Not ideal in front of a Darius Garland, even a Donovan Mitchell.
The keys to the series
– Duel Adebayo-Mobley. It is a bit of the fight of the twins, or the master and the student … Even if his morphology is different, Mobley has the same weapons as Debayo in defense with versatility, timing and reading. In attack, he can also be a “Forward point” and the winner of this duel will weigh on the series.
– Fatigue. The Heat has exhausted to reach the playoffs and he risks paying it in this series against rested riders, and qualified for weeks. Erik Spoelsta used Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo a lot, and we must expect them to play 40 minutes and more. But until when … Let us remember Butler who finished the playoffs on the ball joints. This time, it is Herro who could suffer the same fate.
Regular season
Cavaliers 2-1
– December 8: Miami – Cleveland (122-113)
– January 29: Miami – Cleveland (106 – 126)
– 5 mars : Cleveland – Miami (112-107)
VERDICT
Cleveland 4-1. With the Heat, you always have to be wary, and for the players of Spoelstra, which comes is only bonus. But over the duration of a series, it will be very complicated to dominate a training which has won 64 victories, and which dominates them in almost all sectors. With elements like Okoro and Hunter, even Mitchell, Cleveland can brake Herro, and destabilize Miami's attack. Rest, Cleveland can quickly take the break.
CALENDAR
Game 1 : in Cleveland, Sunday April 20 (01:00)
Game 2 : in Cleveland, Wednesday April 23 (01:30, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday)
Game 3 : In Miami, Saturday April 26 (7:00 p.m.)
Game 4 : in Miami, Monday April 28 (to be defined)
Game 5* : in Cleveland, Wednesday April 30
Game 6* : In Miami, Friday May 2
Game 7* : in Cleveland, Sunday May 4
* If necessary.
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