The other matchup problem is Bass vs Lebron at the 4. Can we gamble on Bass keeping up with him, or do we go with Pierce at the 4?
Not sure why you think Bass would be covering James. Pierce will be on James, Bass on Battier, KG on Turiaf.
Without Bosh the Heat simply isn't as athletic as people think. Yes, they have James and Wade, but they're surrounded by Haslem, Battier, Miller (who can barely stand up straight), Turiaf, Chalmers, and Anthony. By no means are they as athletic, from top to bottom, as Philly, who can throw athletes at us in waves with AI, Williams, Holiday, Young, Turner, etc.
The Heat fronted the Pacers effectively because Indy simply doesn't have the passers to make the entry passes. With Hill and Collison they had players who are much more adept at scoring than they're at setting up their teammates. Our team has much better passing, and this could prove vital as the Heat will probably be fronting both KG and Bass often.
Defensively I would like to see a zone out there when Ray is in the game to protect him. However, although it would be physically demanding, a Ray on Chalmers, Rondo on Wade cross matchup could also be something we often see. Sasha intrigues me on James because he knows his tendencies well having played with him in Cleveland for 5 seasons.
I would like us to stay big vs them. I know that Doc loves to go with small ball, but I do like the length of Steimsma and Hollins to protect the rim, and if nothing else deliver hard fouls that over the course of a series start to add up.