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)

4. Dwyane Wade Needs to Be Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade Miami Heat

If Wade has proven one thing this season, it’s that he’s still got it. In the 2015-16 regular season, Wade played in 74 of the Heat’s 82 games games and averaged 19.0 points per game. In order to put a hurting on the Hornets, he will likely need to average at least 20 points per game in the series.

Wade tends to play better in bigger games and it would come as no surprise if his scoring numbers see an uptick in his first playoff appearance since LeBron James left town. This will be another chance for Wade to prove doubters wrong and show that he still deserves that “elite” classification in this league. Watch for him to actively take games over in the fourth quarter throughout Miami’s playoff run.

Next: Rely on Playoff Experience

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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.