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

7 Min Read
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)

3. Hassan Whiteside Must Dominate Down-Low

Hassan Whiteside Miami Heat

Whiteside has been a force of nature since the All-Star break and is likely due for a max contract next season. To secure that max deal, it will help if he can show what he’s truly made of in the playoffs by crashing the boards and being a dominant down-low presence throughout the series.

The Hornets’ Al Jefferson has more experience and a tighter two-way game but Whiteside is, by far, the superior physical specimen. This matchup might be the most intriguing of the series and perhaps the most important. If Walker is contained, Jefferson will look to take over. Miami’s 7-footer cannot allow that to happen.

Next: Dwyane Wade Needs to Be Dwyane Wade

[xyz-ihs snippet=”Responsive-Ad”]
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Responsive-Image-Only”]

Share This Article
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.