An in depth look at the Miami Heat s Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup against the Chicago Bulls.
SMALL FORWARD EDGE HEAT
Heat The Bulls have a history of being physical with LeBron James but it doesn t exactly disrupt his game. The MVP averaged 28 points and 8.0 rebounds in four games against Chicago while shooting 63.8 percent. James voiced displeasure about two hard fouls after Chicago snapped Miami s 27 game win streak in March.
Bulls Luol Deng missed the final two games of the Nets series with spinal fluid leakage caused by a spinal tap and his status for Game 1 is in question. When healthy he s a skilled defender with a solid offensive game. But he s coming off the two worst shooting seasons of his career (41.2 42.6 percent) and shot 37.7 against Miami. Jimmy Butler would start if Deng cannot.
POWER FORWARD EDGE BULLS
Heat Udonis Haslem made the most of 68 minutes against the Bucks hitting 13 of 21 shots (including several jumpers) and grabbing 19 rebounds. His rebounding defense and physicality will be needed to counter Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. James and Shane Battier also will get time at PF.
Bulls Carlos Boozer excelled in the first round against the Nets (17.4 points 10.6 rebounds) and could give the Heat problems when Miami goes with a smaller lineup. Boozer played very well in four games against the Heat this season 19 points and 15 rebounds per game. But he also committed 15 turnovers.
CENTER EDGE HEAT
Heat Chris Bosh s scoring numbers were modest in the first round (12.8 average) but he succeeded in often drawing Bucks center Larry Sanders away from the basket because of his ability to knock down shots including three three pointers in Game 1. That will be the objective with Noah. Bosh averaged just 5.5 rebounds in four games against the Bulls this season and that must improve.
Bulls Noah had an epic Game 7 against the Nets 24 points 14 rebounds and 6 blocks and his hustle and defense usually leave an imprint on games. He averaged 12 points and 10 boards in two games against Miami and must strike a balance between patrolling the paint without leaving Bosh open on his wing jumpers.
SHOOTING GUARD EDGE HEAT
Heat Dwyane Wade who shot just 36.8 percent in the first round has had 10 days since his last game to recover from a bone bruise in his knee but a full recovery has been elusive. He has struggled at times playing in his hometown of Chicago but not this season (53.6 percent shooting).
Bulls With Richard Hamilton dropping out of the rotation the Bulls have received very good work this postseason from Butler (11.4 points 9.9 rebounds) and Marco Belinelli (22 and 24 points in the last two games of the Nets series). Butler is a pesky defender who will make Wade work for his shots.
POINT GUARD EDGE BULLS
Heat Mario Chalmers had a pedestrian first round but played well the second half of the season. And he played a responsible floor game against Chicago this year (17 assists 4 turnovers) though he made only 4 of 17 three pointers in those games. Norris Cole s defense will be needed at times against explosive Nate Robinson.
Bulls Kirk Hinrich missed the past three playoff games with a severely bruised calf and told Bulls reporters Saturday night that he isn t ready yet. Without him the Bulls used Robinson and Marquis Teague. Robinson thrived in the first round (17.0 points 50.5 percent shooting) and is very dangerous when he s on a roll. Derrick Rose has not publicly ruled out a return but it would be a surprise.
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