The Miami Heat made sure to it that their one-year absence from the NBA Playoffs was nothing more than a temporary layoff, but the rematch with their 2014 first-round opponent (Charlotte Hornets) has the potential to go in all the wrong ways. And it has nothing to do with not having LeBron James.
Both teams split an interesting regular season series, including the Heat coming back from a double-digit deficit and blowing a double-digit lead. These five issues could cut Miami’s postseason run short.
![5 Problems That Could Haunt Miami Heat In First Round Of 2016 NBA Playoffs](/nba/files/2016/04/miami-heat-320x180.jpg)
5. Fast Guards
![Fast Guards](/nba/files/2016/04/kemba.jpg)
5. Fast Guards
Goran Dragic’s offensive game is predicated on emphasizing his speed, but it is no secret that he has issues stopping the opposition’s speedy, penetrating guards. The proof is in Kemba Walker’s aggressive 20-point average against Miami.
4. Tricky Bigs
![Tricky Bigs](/nba/files/2016/04/ALJEF.jpg)
4. Tricky Bigs
Al Jefferson would never be accused of being an elite athlete, but he gets his big body into Hassan Whiteside and suffocates his chances of jumping to attempt blocks. This was good enough for a 19-point average in their two matchups. It also does not hurt that he and the backup big men can pull Whiteside out of the paint with jump shots that range from 15 feet to the three-point line.
3. Miami Youth
![Miami Youth](/nba/files/2016/04/WHITESIDE.jpg)
3. Miami Youth
The Miami Heat rely heavily on their young trio of Justise Winslow, Hassan Whiteside and Josh Richardson, but might the stage be too big for the three youngsters the same way the spotlight of Los Angeles was against a horrible Kobe Bryant-led Lakers team? Unfocused, passive and being too shy to pull the shot trigger will get this team nowhere.
2. All Wade Everything
![All Wade Everything](/nba/files/2016/04/wade-1.jpg)
2. All Wade Everything
In a recent Ethan Skolnick article for the Miami Herald, coach Erik Spoelstra said “I will go to my grave with Dwyane Wade making the decision at the end of the game.” It's understandable since he was ranked third in clutch statistics. But the Heat should be wary that that vote of confidence will take Wade into the hero ball mode that has seen him force the issue instead of leaning on the shoulders of potentially reliable teammates.
1. Coaching Gone Wrong
![Coaching Gone Wrong](/nba/files/2016/04/spo.jpg)
1. Coaching Gone Wrong
For all the good coach Spoelstra has done adapting to the team's situations, pundits have to acknowledge that his stubbornness only allowed him to do so when there were no other options but to conform. However, the habit he has to shake is being so quick to pull Whiteside when he is the only one making a difference in the game. In order for the Heat to win, their center will have to be effective and Spo is often the only person who can stop him.
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