Sentimentally, I'm rooting for the Bulls for Thibs and Scals, but I think the Hawks have a better chance of beating the Heat because they match up better, and my intense dislike for the Heat supersedes my fondness for two ex-Cs, so I hope the Hawks, whom I also dislike, win their series with the Bulls and play the Heat.
At the 5, Horford and ZaZa and Collins are more than a match for the Anthony/Z/Juan Howard troika. Noah and Thomas, not so much because Anthony can match Noah's energy and athleticism.
At the 4,Horford can slide there and be more of a problem for Boozer than Bosh ever will be. When Spolestra moves James to the 4 or even plays him at the 3, Josh smith is one of the few players in this league who can match his athleticism. Deng, while a more than worthy adversary, can in no way handle James physically like Josh Smith can.
At the 3/2, Wade will destroy KOrver/Bogans/Brewer take your pick, but Joe Johnson/Marvin Williams will give Wade/Miller/Jones and whomever all they can handle on both ends. Throw Hinrich in the mix to harass Wade on occasion, and the Atlanta edge is huge compared to Chicago.
The 1 is the only spot where Chicago's match-up with Miami is far superior to Atlanta's. Rose vs Bibby/Chalmers maybe even vs Wade/Lebron (if Spolestra puts them on Rose like Jackson did with Kobe on Rondo in the past) a big edge to Chicago, but Hinrich/Teague can also easily handle and outplay Bibby and Chalmers.
Two other match-ups to consider and one favors Atl and the other Chi.
Neither Miami nor Chicago has a 6th man like Jamal Crawford, although Taj Gibson will contribute and is underrated, but Crawford is far more explosive.
Chicago's team defense is superior to Atlanta's, so has the edge there, but Atlanta's depth and athleticism, I think, given all the other factors gives them the match-up edge overall.
Go hawks!!! (And I really hate them, especially ZaZa)
Poll
Topic: Poll: Who has a better chance to beat the Heat? Matchups? (Read 1133 times)