---

Miami Heat (59-23) vs. Nets (42-40)

MIAMI HEAT

Guards: Shaquille O'Neal had Kobe Bryant. He also had Penny Hardaway, but according to him Dwyane Wade is the best sidekick he ever played with. In just his second season Wade proved the big fella right by averaging 24.1 points per game and showing he is capable of taking a game over at any given moment. Also in his favor is the taste of the playoffs from his rookie season when he averaged 18 points in 13 games. The other starting guard is Damon Jones, who has bounced around but is among the league's top 3-point threats. Jones averaged a career-high 11.7 points while improving his 3-point shooting from 35.9 percent with the Bucks in 2003-04 to a career-best 43.2. Other backcourt players for the Heat include Keyon Dooling and Shandon Anderson, who was bought out by the Knicks in November and is being paid for his defense. There's also 13-year veteran Steve Smith, who only appeared in 13 games after getting acquired from Charlotte.

Forwards: The starting small forward is Eddie Jones, who likely faces the difficult task of defending Vince Carter. Jones is a solid defender and focuses on that as Shaq and Wade do the bulk of the scoring. The other starting forward is undrafted free agent Udonis Haslem. Haslem made a name for himself with his hustle and defense and continued that this season by doing the dirty work that cleared the path for O'Neal and Wade. The key reserve forwards are Christian Laettner and Rasual Butler.

Center: Shaquille O'Neal has found serenity in South Florida as he willed his way to the basket at times but also found the opportunity to defer to Wade, whom he nicknamed "Flash." O'Neal is still a dominant force, even if he isn't as strong as in previous seasons. The only thing that can stop him from being effective is his right quad contusion. His backups are Michael Doleac, who can hit jumpers off pick-and-rolls and former Net Alonzo Mourning, who whined his way out of New Jersey and landed a return engagement with the Heat.

Coach: Stan Van Gundy has compiled two impressive seasons since his former boss Pat Riley resigned suddenly before the start of 2003-04. Last year he was able to overcome an 0-7 start as the Heat won 17 of their final 21 to secure a postseason spot. This season, he guided the Heat to a pair of double-digit winning streaks, including a team record 14-game run in December and January.

Strengths: As long as he's healthy, O'Neal will still be a force to be contended with. The only person to really outplay him in the postseason was Detroit's Ben Wallace. Wade can be considered an MVP candidate as well one of the most improved players of the year. Wade and O'Neal are enough to get the Heat to the conference finals.

Weaknesses: Damon Jones' perimeter defense has been spotty at times and that could limit his minutes, as guys like Anderson and Dooling could see more time.

Key Stats:

points per game - Wade 24.1
rebounds per game - O'Neal 10.4
assists per game - Wade 6.8
steals - Wade 1.6
blocks - O'Neal 2.3
Points for - 101.6 (4th)
points against 95.0

NEW JERSEY NETS

Guards: Other than Steve Nash, Jason Kidd this season had been the best point guard in the league. And if you just look at the last month or two, Kidd's back to being the best. The Nets were 4-12 when he sat out recovering from offseason knee injury and are 38-28 since so there's no doubting his impact. Capable of getting a triple-double every game, Kidd has experience on his side. Of course, it helps when Vince Carter is starting alongside you. All Kidd has to do is find the ball to Carter's hands. Carter posted 24 games with at least 30 points and the Nets were 20-4. Reserve guards include veterans Travis Best and Rodney Buford. Best, who played in Miami two seasons ago will play close to 20 minutes and is capable of scoring double-digit points. Buford battled through injuries and averaged 7.0 points.

Forwards: With Richard Jefferson trying to return from his wrist injury in time to actually help, the Nets have the potential for a dangerous triple threat. Like Carter, Jefferson is an athletic player but since the three of them hardly played together it might tough to gain cohesion quickly against the Heat. Jason Collins, a center who now starts at power forward, was overmatched by O'Neal when the Nets played the Lakers in the 2002 finals. He has improved since then by setting screens and understands the offense. Though, he still doesn't score or rebound much. Other forwards include Brian Scalabrine, a fan favorite who started for Jefferson and was effective.

Centers: Nenad Krstic was one of the league's biggest surprises and the Nets won 28 of the 40 games when he scored at least 10 points. He's still no match for Shaq but his effort is very good, as his toughness. Cliff Robinson can play both center and forward and brings with him years of postseason experience and a decent outside jump shot.

Coach: Lawrence Frank has had several hurdles to get the Nets to the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The team hasn't been to the playoffs three seasons in a row since the mid-1980s and this trip required overcoming initial cost-cutting measures by new owner Bruce Ratner, Kidd's recovery, and various other injuries. But Frank was able to get the Nets to win 15 of their final 19 games, which always reflects well on the coach.

Strengths: Having the best point guard in the East always helps. Also having someone like Carter for him to pass to helps as well as the experience gained in the three previous postseasons helps. But the most important thing is how quickly Jefferson returns to form.

Weaknesses: Aside from Kidd and Carter, it's role player city. Jason Collins basically just defends and sets picks. Nenad Krstic had offense but the rest of his game is still in development. The non-stars have to play rugged and rough, and step up their games.

Key Stats:

Points - Carter 27.5
Rebounds - Kidd 7.4
Assists - Kidd 8.3
Steals - Kidd 1.9
Blocks - Collins 0.9
Points for - 91.4 (29th)
Points against - 92.9

Matchup: The Heat pretty much had their way with the Nets in three regular season matchups. But they did not have to face Jefferson, Kidd and Carter in the same game in any of those contests and how well they play together could determine how far this series goes.

What will probably happen: The Nets are not your average eighth-seeded team and likely would have had a better record with a full season of their potent trio. But for now, they don't enough to stop O'Neal and Wade and the Heat should win this in five.