Today at 3:30 p.m. ET in Miami, the two-time defending champion Heat will host a new face in the NBA postseason in the No. 7 Charlotte Bobcats. Watch the game on ESPN or live stream it free by clicking this link. Heat fans can hear the radio broadcast on 560 WQAM, while Bobcats fans can do likewise by turning their dials to CBS 1660.
While Charlotte's being taken by and large by basketball fans and observers, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has a healthy respect for the team his Heat are bout to face.
"Anything before this season doesn't matter," Spoelstra said. "They had a different team, a different coach. The only thing that matters is this year. Our last three games against them, we had to dig back from three deficits to come back and win. That has not gone lost in our preparation."
Shooting guard Dwyane Wade, who will reportedly have no minutes restrictions in Round 1, echoed his coach's comments. "This is a good ballclub," Wade said. "This is not the Charlotte Bobcats that everyone thinks of when you hear the name."
The key will be power forward Al Jefferson, whose size and ability to score in the post creates a matchup nightmare for Miami's smallish squad.
"It's time to take it to another level," Jefferson said. "We reached one goal. Regardless of what happens in the playoffs, we are one of the teams that stood out this year and we are proud of that. So now it's time to stick together more than ever."
He averaged a double-double for the season wit 21.8 points and 10.8 boards, but defense will also matter greatly. Bobcats coach Steve Clifford appears flummoxed before the series has even begun about how to stop LeBron James.
"There are only so many things you can do," Clifford said. "I know this: The more aggressive you are with him, the more layups and open shoots the other guys shoot. He's a phenomenal player."
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