2014 NBA playoffs preview: Miami Heat vs. Charlotte Bobcats
No. 2 Miami Heat (54-28) vs. No. 7 Charlotte Bobcats (43-39)
- Game 1 in Miami: Sunday, April 20, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
- Game 2 in Miami: Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 3 in Charlotte: Saturday, April 26, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
- Game 4 in Charlotte: Monday, April 28, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
- Game 5 in Miami (if necessary): Wednesday, April 30
- Game 6 in Charlotte (if necessary): Friday, May 2
- Game 7 in Miami (if necessary): Sunday, May 4
Season series: Heat swept 4-0.
Points per game (per 100 possessions): Heat 102.2, Bobcats 96.9 (Heat 110.9, Bobcats 103.8).
Points allowed per game (per 100 possessions): Heat 97.4, Bobcats 97.1 (Heat 105.8, Bobcats 103.8).
Matchups worth watching: Heat C Chris Bosh vs. Bobcats C Al Jefferson, Heat SG Dwyane Wade vs. Bobcats SG Gerald Henderson.
Scoring leaders: Heat SF LeBron James (27.1 points a game), Jefferson (21.8).
Why Miami will win: James is too much for anyone or even everyone on the Bobcats, despite second-year small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's defensive improvements. The four-time MVP dropped a career-high 61 points on Charlotte in March. The Heat have the experience and the championships and the talent.
Why Charlotte will win: The Heat's biggest weakness has been opposing post scorers, and few are better than Jefferson. Also, point guard Kemba Walker should be able to run circles around Mario Chalmers. But the Bobcats need a miracle.
Did you know? The Bobcats are the only NBA franchise without a single playoff win.
Prediction: Heat in 4.
