The Miami Heat are ready to get some rest. The team is one game away from making it to their fourth straight appearance in the Eastern Conference finals and putting the Brooklyn Nets away now will earn the team a few days off before facing either the Washington Wizards of Indiana Pacers in the finals. The Nets have put up a fight in the past two games, but only managed to win one and will attempt to fight off elimination in Game 5.
While the Brooklyn Nets have had their moments, the Heat have had more. More importantly, LeBron James is reminding everyone that he too has been an NBA MVP. His 49-point performance in Game 4 was just another line on an impressive postseason resume. Now, he will go up once again against Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett who are seeing their season and legacies on the line.
The task at hand is a big one for Brooklyn. After compiling the biggest pay roll in the NBA, things have been roller coaster this year. A second-half surge got the team into the postseason, but stalling out in the second round has their playoff dreams on the line. It seems each game at least one of the high-paid veterans disappears. Garnett has gone scoreless in the second round. Deron Williams has done the same. Pierce has recorded just nine points. If there was ever a night for the entire team to contribute, if it Game 5 Wednesday.
Brooklyn managed to win twice in Miami during the regular season but lost the first two road games in the second round playoff series. The team that swept the Heat in four games has failed to show up, even in Game 3 when they won at home. James is averaging 30.3 points against the Nets in four games. Both Joe Johnson and Pierce have attempted to guard him and failed. Meanwhile they are also failed to score as both are averaging just 29.5 points combined.
Brooklyn's season appears to be coming to an end. After a blockbuster trade in the offseason, much more was expected from the roster. Can the Nets extend the series back to Brooklyn or does it end on Wednesday?
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