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May 11, 2012|By Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel
CENTER: Chris Bosh is a more-talented player than Roy Hibbert, with both All-Stars this season. The question is whether Bosh is a better center. Still, even that aspect might be overstated, with Bosh likely to draw Hibbert to the perimeter. In fact, don't be surprised with a cross-match here, with Hibbert instead defending Udonis Haslem, leaving David West on Bosh. Hibbert averaged 10.5 points and 8.3 rebounds in the four-game season series, it is doubtful a repeat of those numbers would cause much concern for the Heat. EDGE: HEAT
POWER FORWARD: David West has been the single greatest difference for the Pacers this season and the closest thing they have to a proven big-game go-to guy. For Udonis Haslem, there is negligible chance he can offset West's scoring. What he has to do is provide enough defensively that the Heat won't have to think about double-teams. West hardly was overwhelming against the Heat during the season series, but he had his moments in the first round against the Magic and must play very well for the Pacers to have a chance. EDGE: PACERS
SMALL FORWARD: Danny Granger is the type of player people tend to talk more about how good he can be than how good he is. He melted during several pressure points in the first round against the Magic and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Pacers go with more of a defensive presence against LeBron James at times, perhaps Dahntay Jones. The question with James will be focus. He had plenty of it against long-time rival Carmelo Anthony in the first round. Can he maintain that focus against Granger or will the defense wane after two grueling weeks? EDGE: HEAT
SHOOTING GUARD: Dwyane Wade had it easy in the first round after Iman Shumpert went down for the Knicks in the series opener with a season-ending knee injury. The challenge will be more significant this series, be it against starter Paul George, or Leandro Barbosa off the bench, or even if the Pacers go small with Darren Collison and George Hill playing side by side. Wade was good enough in the opening round, but not great. This would be as good a time as any to start warming up, with George capable of offensive moments.EDGE: HEAT
POINT GUARD: Mario Chalmers was able to spend the opening round against the aged and the infirm, be it Baron Davis or Mike Bibby. Now the Pacers arrive with the playoff-proven toughness of George Hill and the pace-changing, off-the-bench presence of Darren Collison. It will be a whole new world for Chalmers, with his defense to become a significant factor. Hill had some wonderful moment in the opening round and has the ability to expose Chalmers on both ends. EDGE: HEAT
BENCH: This is where the Pacers hope to separate themselves from the Heat, able to call upon Tyler Hansbrough, Darren Collison, Leandro Barbosa, Lou Amundson and possibly Dahntay Jones. Frank Vogel splits his minutes pretty evenly among his top seven and his bench can be game-changing and pace-changing. For the Heat, Shane Battier and Mike Miller tend to be far better at home. With the Pacers' size, don’t be surprised to see Ronny Turiaf join Joel Anthony in the Heat power rotation. EDGE: PACERS
COACHING: If nothing else, Frank Vogel is confident, perhaps even brazen. Yes it is that assuredness that has pushed his Pacers to these heights. Still, there were a few game-closing moments against the Magic in the first round that made you wonder if he has enough answers when quick decisions are needed. By contrast, Erik Spoelstra has LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, which tends to make the decisions easier. He already has shown he can drive his team deep into the playoffs. EDGE: HEAT
INTANGIBLES: The question with the Pacers is whether they have entered the just-glad-to-be-here stage. Frank Vogel insists that isn't the case, but what else would you expect a coach to say? By contrast, Erik Spoelstra has to have considerable concern about a letdown after his team came in so hyped against the Knicks. There easily could be an early slip-up. Still, the Heat have proven to be nearly invincible on their home court, with those games never in doubt against the Knicks, and there again is homecourt advantage in this series. EDGE: HEAT
PREDICTION: It once again will come down to the Heat's Big Three, with at least two needing to have significant series in light of the Pacers' depth of good-if-not-great talent. And there at least has to be a fight from the Heat at point guard. As for center, we're just not sold on Roy Hibbert. For the Heat, this essentially comes down to focus, and whether the edge can be maintained from the Knicks series. The Pacers are better than the Knicks, but not better than the Heat. PICK: Heat in six.
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