Miami over Indiana in 6 sounds right
Matchups in frontcourt are edge over Pacers
A look at the key elements of Miami Heat-Indiana Pacers, with the best-of-seven NBA firstround playoff series opening Tuesday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex.
Edge goes to:
Center: Neither team opens with much in the way of a power play, with the Heat’s Bam Adebayo and the Pacers’ Myles Turner relying on their agility and quickness. Adebayo’s ability to switch out on to Indiana’s wings is a key to the Heat’s defense, while Turner has moved his offensive game further out on the perimeter, clearing the paint for the Pacers’ preferred attack approach. A key to the series will be the Heat’s ability to dominate on the glass. And that has to start with Adebayo. Edge: Heat
Power forward: Basically, there aren’t any power forwards in the starting lineups, with Indiana All-Star Domantas Sabonis sidelined by a foot injury. That well could have factored into the decision by Heat coach Erik Spoelstra to start Jae Crowder in
Series schedule
Game 1: Tuesday, 4 p.m., TNT, Fox Sports Sun
Game 2: Thursday, 1 p.m., ESPN, Fox Sports Sun
Game 3: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., TNT, Fox Sports Sun
Game 4: Monday Aug. 24, 6:30 p.m., TNT, Fox Sports Sun
Game 5*: Wednesday Aug. 26, Time TBA, Fox Sport Sun
Game 6*: Friday Aug. 28, Time TBA, Fox Sports Sun
Game 7*: Sunday Aug. 30, Time TBA, Fox Sport Sun
* — if necessary
the Disney seeding games in place of Meyers Leonard. With Indiana opening with Aaron Holiday in a four-wing approach, expect the Heat to cycle through a variety of similar wing-based lineups. Edge: Heat
Small forward: This well could be the series’ featured attraction, with the Heat’s Jimmy Butler and Pacers’ T.J. Warren having made this personal with a pair of contentious meetings prior to the NBA’s shutdown and then upping the intensity during last week’s bubble battle. Warren, based on his run in the seeding games, well could outscore Butler in the series. But Butler’s overall body of work figures to be among the most significant barometers when determining the series’ winner. Butler needs to fill the box score and emerge as the series’ top defensive wing. Edge: Heat
Shooting guard: At first Victor Oladipo wasn’t going to play at Disney, then he changed his mind. Then he offered moments of his previous All-Star form during the seeding games. While T.J. Warren has emerged as a leading man for Indiana, at the playoff level it still could come down to Oladipo playing in attack mode. On the other side, while Duncan Robinson’s shooting remains critical for the Heat, the defensive reps against Oladipo likely will be largely taken by Jae Crowder. Edge: Pacers
Point guard: Goran Dragic figures to remain in the starting lineup after moving into the first five in the seeding games in place of Kendrick Nunn. While the mix with Dragic has worked, the lineup sample size remains limited. On the other side of the equation, Malcolm Brogdon has emerged as a glue guy for Indiana, standing as far more of a two-way player that Dragic. Brogdon has the playoff experience after last year’s run with the Milwaukee Bucks. Edge: Even
Bench: This is where the injury absence of Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis flips the equation. For the Heat, depth has largely been the story of their season. Figure on Tyler Herro remaining as sixth man, with it interesting to see if playoff Andre Iguodala can reemerge. Even with Derrick Jones Jr. dealing with a neck strain, the Heat still also have Kendrick Nunn (assuming he doesn’t start) and Kelly Olynyk in reserve. For the Pacers, it could come down to whether Doug McDermott, T.J. McConnell and Justin Holiday are making shots. Edge: Heat
Coach: Both the Heat’s Erik Spoelstra and Pacers’ Nate McMillan are esteemed for their game planning, preparation and even-keeled approach. Both have their players’ deep respect. There also is mutual respect across coaching staffs. But Spoelstra also has coached in the biggest of playoff moments, which should rate a slight edge. Edge: Heat
Intangibles: In a normal season, the Pacers’ homecourt advantage, as the No. 4 seed, would be a factor, with Indiana known to have somewhat overly passionate fans. Now, in the NBA’s quarantine setting amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, that is lost. No travel. Same beds every other night. Just a bit less
Edge: Even Prediction: With a healthy Domantas Sabonis you would be looking at seven games, with the Pacers favored, as would be the case if they truly were the home team. But he’s not and they’re not. Heat in six
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