Five Major Keys to Victory in Heat’s First-Round Playoff Matchup

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MIAMI, FL - MARCH 17: Goran Dragic #7 of the Miami Heat drives past Al Jefferson #25 of the Charlotte Hornets during a game at American Airlines Arena on March 17, 2016 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice: (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

2. Joe Johnson Needs to Turn It up a Notch

Joe Johnson Miami Heat

The days of “Iso Joe” may be over, but the six-foot-seven forward still has plenty of game left in the tank. Since the All-Star break, Johnson has averaged 13.7 points per game. In order to successfully beat out the Hornets, he will likely need to bring those numbers up closer to his career average of 17.0 points per game.

Johnson has been an integral part of the Heat’s success since he took his talents to South Beach. The team will have to rely on his clutch shot-making and particularly his three-point game if they hope to take the series. The Heat are one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league, but the long ball is one of Johnson’s strong suits. If he can get it going from downtown in this series, Miami has a great shot at matching Charlotte’s scoring output.

Next: Hassan Whiteside Must Dominate Down-Low

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Grant is a life-long Miami Heat fan hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His earliest Heat memories involve Eddie Jones going off on opponents and hoping he'd become the next Michael Jordan. When that didn't pan out, a guy named Dwyane Wade came to Miami and Grant's fandom turned to obsession. He graduated with an English degree from the University of Central Florida and currently resides in Los Angeles.