In the Eastern Conference, the second-seeded Miami Heat are preparing to take on the seventh-seeded Charlotte Bobcats tonight in Miami in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs in the NBA.
The Heat defeated the Bobcats 99-88 on Sunday behind 27 points and 23 points from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, respectively.
The Heat and James are coming off of back-to-back championships, and James is in his eighth consecutive playoff appearance. He talks about the valuable experience he has gained over the course of his playoff career.
“My third year was the first year I made the playoffs and to now, I understand what I’m looking at. I understand what’s going to be coming at me and our team and understand me getting into the books and knowing the sets that the team is running, knowing their likes, their dislikes, whatever they like to do out on the floor,” James said. “If I’m ahead of the curve, it’s going to help our team benefit from that.”
The Heat will also benefit from having two days off between games. With each member of the “Big 3” missing the final week of the regular season, and Wade missing 28 games, the Heat recognize the importance of rest.
“I’m happy with Wednesday. As you play more games and get a little older in the league, you appreciate the days in between,” said Chris Bosh, Miami Heat forward. “If I was a little younger, yeah, I would love to play. But no, I don’t want to.”
The Heat will still face a tall task when facing off against the Charlotte Bobcats. Charlotte center Al Jefferson posted 18 points and 10 rebounds against the Heat. Jefferson went to the locker room with a knee injury but later returned to the court. Jefferson talked about the injury.
“It’s kind of awkward feeling something, feeling the pain, but it’s not affecting you moving and stuff,” Jefferson said. “So it’s something I have to get used to, but it felt good. So we just hope to keep it at that level.”
Tipoff from American Airlines Arena in Miami is set for 7 p.m.
For sound, click below.