predictions?

[mjt20mik]

I think Miami in 5/6. We will need outside shooting for this game. Miami has the bigs to intimidate the lane and out rebound us.

[psrs1]

Head says Heat in 6 but with Raps who knows?

[slaw]

I think it will be a long series either way. I'll say Raps in 7. Both teams have been Jekyll and Hyde in the first round. Miami looked great in Games 1 and 2, proceeded to get thoroughly outplayed for most of the next 4 games, got lucky in Game 6, and Hornets no-showed Game 7. We know about Toronto.

Going to be a fun one.

[Mapko]

My optimism is based on "other" than DD regaining his touch & KL elbow getting better (although I do believe both will play significantly better, if for no other reason other than Miami simply does not have 2 solid defenders like Hill & PG13).
IMO, Indy series was huge monkey off our back (last 2 yrs playoff loses, never won a 7 game series....).
I am convinced that once this is behind us, we will see a Raps team that won 56 games.
Is that what I want to believe, or actually believe?
Maybe both.
Raps in 6

[Demographic Shift]

raps whup heat in 6

[c_bcm]

Raps in 5.

[ogi]

Raps in 7

[BrydenB]

Lowry's elbow is so messed up still. We need him to be better. If he isn't.... Heat in 5

[Chr1s1anL]

Raps in 7

[saints91]

Raps in 6. Just like most are saying, PG, and Hill were a nightmare against our two best players. I see Lowry and DeMar dominate those matchups. Carroll and Powell get it done on the defensive end.

I forsee a Lowry, DD, Carroll, Powell, JV starting line up. PP, Joseph, BB and TRoss coming off the bench. The Heat don't have a legit PF.

[planetmars]

Obviously I want the Raps to win.. predicting something else is just bad karma.

Heat are good. They have a lot of really good veteran players (getting Joe Johnson at the waiver deadline was a killer move for them). They are well coached, and know how to win. But they also had to take Charlotte to 7 games. They are also much older and had to go through 7 games and now are on the road again.

If the Raptors win the first game, I think the Raps take it in 7. If they lose the first game, then they probably lose the series. If that happens though, I just hope they can beat Miami in Miami (had a 28-13 home record). That's going to be tough.

[tDotted]

Raptors in 6. First game will be huge

[rocwell]

If Kyle plays like it's regular season then Raps in 6. Otherwise Heat in 6.

[Bendit]

As is the cliche basketball is a game of matchups especially at this level. If one agrees then it flows that one series is not necessarily a predictor of another. PG and to a lesser extent coach Vogel were nightmares for the Raptors including the recent history of not winning a playoff round for like forever. Now that these have been eliminated .... while Wade is still a player he has never been a defensive PG. I think KL & DD should show closer to their in season levels with more frequency.

I expect us to play "better". The matchups are more favourable imo. Raptors in 6...twist my arm 7 (with home court).

[CNinja26]

Raptors in 7...don't think they'll be able to close in Miami.