The early word form the punditocracy is that MIA will roll. No surprise, that, but it projects the James Wade Indy Romp as the norm. It forgets the troubles the heat have had vs lineups that protect the rim and work inside, namely Indy in games 1 &2 or last years finals (yes, still relevant). Or what the C's did to them with a healthy Aver Bradley. Can the Cs make it happen again? Here's how.

First order of business is to keep Libby and Tuffy from getting out on the break. Defend, hit shots, rebound. Force the half-court game. Clog the lane. Turn them into jump shooters. Can they do it? Paul and Ray will have their hands full, but KG and his mates have their back. If they struggle, there is help on the bench (MP, Quis etc). Remember the C's dont have to stop Libby and Tuffy, they just have to slow them down. Both will need to score in the mid-30s+ each night, because the supporting cast will struggle to come up with 20. Keep at least one of them in the 20ppg range and it’s competitive.

What about scoring the ball? Ray and Paul are going to have their hands full on the defensive end, so the C's will need KG, Bass, Rondo and MP to step it up and go. KG and Bass should be able to go to work against the Kool Gang's under-sized front court. If the mecurical Rajon Rondo can find a way to channel the final four Philie minutes, then look out. Both teams will be relaying on their starters for points. Neither has gotten much production from their bench.

MIA will have at least one or two games where Libby and Tuffy romp and Chalmers or one of the back-benchers hits his shots. The C's need to put their air brakes on. If they can keep the horses in the corral, work the ball inside, the have a shot. Steal on in Southie and its HCA. C's in six.