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NBA Playoffs Roundtable: Prefer Heat or Raptors in East Finals?

By Jared Mueller

May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) is pressured by Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) during the first quarter in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) is pressured by Toronto Raptors forward DeMarre Carroll (5) during the first quarter in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Our KJG staff got together to answer one lingering NBA Playoffs question: Do you prefer the Miami Heat or Toronto Raptors in the East Finals?

The Heat and Raptors are tied at 2 games a piece. The series is just getting started while the Cleveland Cavaliers take a nice little week long rest awaiting their opponent.

So who does the KJG staff want to see the Cavs face off with in the Eastern Conference Finals? We answer that question in our latest NBA Playoffs Roundtable:

Which team would you prefer the Cleveland Cavaliers Match-up with in the Eastern Conference Finals?

Jared Mueller – Simple put, I want to see LeBron exercise the demons that the Heat have been for him since he returned to Cleveland. It would be a great push into the NBA Finals where he once again has a chance to exercise the demons related to a championship in Cleveland. The emotional boost from beating the Heat would be much greater than that of the Raptors. The Cavs likely roll Toronto quickly while a 5 or 6 game series against the Heat will prepare them perfectly. No matter what, all I want is a championship and neither team really stands in the way so which one gives the Cavs the best shot at the Title? To me, that is the Heat.

Luke Sicari – Toronto Raptors. Now, to be clear, it shouldn’t really matter who the Cavs face in the ECF’s. They have the talent and the chemistry (yes, the Cavs and chemistry can now be said in the same sentence), to overcome both the Heat and Raptors. No one will beat Cleveland in a seven-game series with the way they are currently shooting the three-ball and defending when they need to. That being said, I can’t get over the emotional attachment that a LeBron v.s. Miami series would bring. Emotions do funny things to people. Whilst the Cavaliers would still win the series, the Heat could steal a game or two. On the other hand, the Raptors don’t have that emotional pull. Instead, the Cavaliers would be facing a team with a sub-par defense, and after watching what Cleveland did to Atlanta, a team who had the NBA’s best defensive rating in the second half of the season, it wouldn’t be a fun time for Drake and co.

Omar Josef Guerrero – Miami Heat. I’m a fan who wants LeBron to face-off with D-Wade in a battle of friends and superstars similar to the Magic Johnson vs. Isiah Thomas Finals battles of the late eighties. Seeing the King take on his former team would also show the city of Cleveland that he is capable of distancing himself emotionally from the Heat, owners of his loyalty for four years from 2010-2014. At the same time, Miami will present a bigger challenge for the Cavs which will prepare them better for whoever they meet in the Finals. Let’s face it, no one expects either the Raptors or the Heat to dethrone the Cavs as Eastern Conference champs. I’ll go for the team that will toughen them up for either the Spurs or the Warriors. Yes, I also expect the Spurs and Warriors to go head-to-head in the Western Finals just like everyone else. Bring on the Heat!

Jared Kungle – Toronto Raptors. The Cavs have solidified themselves as a three-point shooting team throughout the playoffs, and I expect them to carry the long-range momentum straight into the Conference Finals. During the playoffs, Miami has held their opponents to just 30 percent from three while opponents have shot 39 percent against Toronto. Knowing the Cavs will be camped out behind the arc, I’d like their chances against the Raptors’ less-intimidating perimeter defense.

Jackson Flickinger – The Miami Heat. Neither team has looked like they could give the Cavs a good series. While the Heat have a good record against the Cavaliers the last two seasons (including two wins over the Cavs this season), there’s no reason to believe that would continue in the playoffs. Cleveland is an entirely different team than they were in the regular season. Miami has relied almost exclusively on Wade in their series against Toronto and Charlotte. I can’t see Wade potentially dragging his team to victory for the third straight series, especially with the injuries Miami is dealing with. Also doesn’t every Cavs fan want to see Cleveland get a little revenge on Miami for the Decision?

Quenton Albertie – The Miami Heat have to be the choice. This has to be about the legendary series between the Heat and Cavaliers, who have both played a part in LeBron’s career and had LeBron change their organization single-handedly. The animosity and adoration from Cleveland, Miami, and general NBA fans shown towards to LeBron in this series would make it must-watch TV. Between the lines, where the game is played, throw the results from the regular season out of the window and look exclusively at the playoffs, and the Cavs would dismantle the Raptors, who can’t stop the three and whose two stars are players are playing as inconsistent and out-of-rhythm as ever. The Heat have a number of wings who could be versatile defenders. They have offensive firepower. They have a big-time shot blocker and big-time shot makers and takers. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see LeBron versus D. Wade?

Daniel Opacich – The Miami Heat would be my choice. The Cavaliers have been challenged very little in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs and need some adversity to strengthen them for the powerhouses in the West, whether it be the Warriors, Spurs or Thunder. Also, It has seemed that the Cavs have buckled every time that LeBron’s Cavaliers have faced off against Wade’s Heat. Yes, the playoffs bring unique challenges and circumstances, but the Cavaliers will have to play some of their best defense against this perimeter and guard centric team. And most of all…. LeBron James MUST put the friendship between him and D’Wade on hold and attack the Miami Heat like just another team standing in the way of greatness #StriveForGreatness

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Reece Helms – To be honest, it really doesn’t matter who the Cavs face in the Conference Finals, no one in the East is beating them in a 7 game series. But to answer the question, a Cleveland Cavaliers vs Miami Heat ECF would be the best matchup, both for the Cavaliers and the fans at home watching on TV. Who wouldn’t want to see LeBron James face off against former teammate Dwyane Wade? While Wade has been sensational this postseason, the Heat have relied too much on him, and as of now they don’t have enough firepower to compete with Cleveland in a 7 game series. The Toronto Raptors had a great regular season, but Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have struggled mightily in the playoffs, and big man Jonas Valanciunas has gone down with an injury. Unless they get things turned around, they don’t have a good shot to beat Cleveland either. For Miami, they have their own injuries with Chris Bosh being out for the postseason, but they have played pretty well without him. After signing Joe Johnson, they have played small with a lineup of Dragic-Wade-Johnson-Deng-Whiteside, which has worked out very well for them. Their floor spacing is a lot better, which could be a problem for Cleveland if Deng and Johnson  are making their outside shots consistently. Even Wade has made a few clutch 3’s during this playoff run. But in conclusion, unless 2006 Dwyane Wade comes back in a time machine, the Cleveland Cavaliers shouldn’t have any problems with Miami. I’ll give the Heat a win at home, which would mean Cavs in 5 over the Heat.

Who do you want to see the Cavs match-up with in the Eastern Conference Finals?