By CHRIS PERKINS
FOXSportsFlorida.com Heat Writer
Feb. 15, 2011
Nervous Heat fans have united with Heat haters in saying Miami can't beat Boston in a best-of-seven series. The truth is they're right. For now. But things change over the course of a season. A lot can happen, and that's the thing to remember.
Recall that early in the season Utah was the darling of the NBA. No lead was safe against the Jazz. They had remarkable come-from-behind victories against the likes of Miami, Orlando and Atlanta.
Look at the Jazz now. They're a disaster. Coach Jerry Sloan walked off the job in disgust, and All-Star guard Deron Williams is close to a pariah because he's being blamed for Sloan's resignation. No one considers Utah a threat.
And look at San Antonio. Everyone considered the Spurs to be title contenders, but few thought they would be playing this well. They have had the best record in the NBA for a while and they have emerged as the No. 1 title favorite over the Celtics, Heat and Lakers. No one expected that.
And, finally, think back to Miami's horrid 9-8 start. The Heat have gone 30-7 since. In December it seemed highly unlikely Miami would reel of 30 victories in its next 37 games. Granted, the Heat are still 0-3 against Boston, and that's really what matters when you look ahead to the playoffs. But that gets back to the original point: Things change over the course of a NBA season.
Right now, Boston is better than Miami. That can't be denied. Boston has a better record, and the Celtics have beaten the Heat all three times they've played.
The Heat have more room for growth than Boston, however. Miami's game-opening roles are clearly defined, and its midgame roles are clearly defined. But while the Heat's game-closing roster versatility is bonus against most teams, it doesn't work against Boston, for whatever reason. The Heat have to find a group of five guys who can make late-game plays against the Celtics.
Boston is what it is. Most likely, it won't get any better. The Heat, who seemed to be turning a corner in late-game victories, are still learning how to win close games, still learning what personnel best complements the Big Three in those situations.
The Heat don't have the answers against Boston right now, especially in the final minutes, but that can change over the final 28 games of the season. Things change all the time in the NBA.
