As much as this has been a feel-good season for the Sixers, with all the improvements over last year and the engaging Doug Collins becoming the key architect of this building process, they won't be able to match up against the Heat in any way.
Throughout the season, Collins' team was terrific at staying in games, winning some it shouldn't, losing some it shouldn't have, also. The Sixers played about as well as they could in all three games against the Heat this season, and still lost them by an average of 10.3 points.
The most the Sixers might be able to get out of this series is a better understanding of what needs to be done in the offseason to get over the .500 quagmire they seem stuck in.
Heat in 4
THE REST OF THE FIRST ROUND:
Chicago vs. Indiana: Chicago in 5
Boston vs. New York: Boston in 7
Orlando vs. Atlanta: Orlando in 5
San Antonio vs. Memphis: Sann Antonio in 6
LA Lakers vs. New Orleans: Lakers in 5
Dallas vs. Portland: Portland in 7
Oklahoma City vs. Denver: Oklahoma City in 6
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MARCUS HAYES
Worst possible matchup.
Lou Williams, the team's clutch scorer, and Andre Iguodala, the team's best player, both will be at less than 100 percent because of injuries, Williams with a sore hamstring, Iguodala with a sore knee.
The Sixers are 0-3 against the Heat this season. They have nothing resembling an answer to Dwyane Wade, who torched them all three times, and will do so again if the Sixers cheat toward LeBron James.
It's been a nice run. Doug Collins earned the coach of the year title, if not the trophy. Jrue Holiday is the future, Elton Brand is back, Iguodala is the truth.
But it's over.
Heat in 5
THE REST OF THE FIRST ROUND:
Chicago vs. Indiana: Chicago in 6
Boston vs. New York: Boston in 5
Orlando vs. Atlanta: Orlando in 6
San Antonio vs. Memphis: San Antonio in 6
LA Lakers vs. New Orleans: Lakers in 6
Dallas vs. Portland: Dallas in 7
Oklahoma City vs. Denver: Denver in 7
JOHN SMALLWOOD
When Doug Collins said pick your poison, the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics looked fairly even.
Now, Miami looks quite a bit better. The "Big Three" of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have hit their stride as the playoffs approach.
To have a chance, the Sixers would have to contain two of the three. They can't.
The Heat just has too much firepower.
Heat in 5
THE REST OF THE FIRST ROUND:
Chicago vs. Indiana: Chicago in 5
Boston vs. New York: Boston in 6
Orlando vs. Atlanta: Orlando in 6
San Antonio vs. Memphis: San Antonio in 5
LA Lakers vs. New Orleans: Lakers in 5
Dallas vs. Portland: Dallas in 6
Oklahoma City vs. Denver: Oklahoma City in 6
