Nets vs. Heat: 3 things you need to know

EAST
(1) IND vs. (5) WAS | (2) MIA vs. (6) BKN
WEST
(1) SAS vs. (5) POR | (2) OKC vs. (3) LAC

The Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat will square off in the second round of the NBA playoffs, but took different paths to get there.

The second-seeded Heat drew the seventh-seeded Bobcats, and easily dispatched of Charlotte's young squad with a 4-0 series sweep. To their credit, Bobcats center Al Jefferson did tear his plantar fascia early in the series, but the Heat looked thoroughly dominant.

On the other hand, the sixth-seeded Nets upset the third-seeded Raptors in a grueling series that went the distance. Toronto came within a layup of advancing, but Nets forward Paul Pierce recorded a clutch block at the buzzer to preserve the series victory for the veteran-laden Nets.

The Nets swept the season series over the Heat, but the playoffs are a different game altogether. Here are three factors that could decide the series.

Can anyone stop 7-time All-Star Joe Johnson?

Although he is often derided for his bloated contract and ill-begotten All-Star appearances, Nets guard Joe Johnson is looking like the Nets' MVP so far in the playoffs.

Johnson was simply unstoppable against the Raptors. In seven games, he posted per-game averages of 21.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 51.8 percent shooting from the field. 

Standing at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, Johnson poses a match-up problem for nearly every wing player in the NBA. The Raptors tried players like DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross, but both players easily conceded upwards of 40 pounds, which necessitated constant double-teams. When the extra defender came, Johnson would dutifully kick it out to the perimeter, where the Nets would swing the ball around until they found the open shooter.

Fortunately for Miami, the Heat boast two sizable wings in Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, who both have the wits and strength to check Johnson. However, during the regular season, Johnson was still able to score an average of 19.5 points per game, including a massive 32-point outburst.

Ideally, the Heat would like to keep Johnson on the perimeter, but should Johnson set up shop in the post, watch for the Heat to send aggressive double-teams onto the ball. Once that happens, it will be a race between the Nets' passing, and the Heat's ability to recover. 

Battle of the Benches

Brooklyn and Miami rank first and sixth in terms of total payroll this season for a reason - both teams understand the importance of depth (and one is owned by an endlessly wealthy Russian oligarch).

On the season, Brooklyn held the advantage in bench scoring, pouring in an average of 37.8 points per game as compared to the Heat's 30.1. However, a sizable chunk of the Nets' tally came from point guard Deron Williams, who spent portions of the season in the role of sixth man. He has since been reintroduced into the starting lineup.

The Heat's bench is mostly one-dimensional. Guards like Ray Allen and Toney Douglas often serve as outlets for three-point shooting, while bigs like Udonis Haslem and Chris Anderson mostly focus on rebounding and defense. The specialization of the Heat's reserves are geared towards complimenting its big three, but their lack of flexibility is rather limiting.

In comparison, Brooklyn's bench boasts a medley of multi-functional players. Players like forward Andrei Kirilenko and center Andray Blatche are both game-changers in the sense that they are capable of altering one aspect of the floor. Kirilenko was rendered largely ineffective against the Raptors, but look for Nets coach Jason Kidd to deploy the versatile Russian on LeBron duty to spell Pierce. Similarly, Blatche has the size to dominate in the post, as the 6-foot-11, 260 pound center towers over most of the Heat's frontcourt players.

In previous years, select members of the Heat's bench stepped up when they were needed. Most famously, Allen sunk a clutch game-tying three-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals against the Spurs, helping his Heat stave off elimination. 

Familiar friends, familiar foes

The Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat will need no introduction, as the players on both teams are thoroughly familiar with each other.

Central to this theme are the Nets' Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and the Heat's LeBron James, who will now square off against one another in the postseason for the fifth time in seven seasons.

Historically, the wily veterans in Garnett and Pierce held the upper-hand on James. The trio's first meeting came in 2008, as Pierce and Garnett's Celtics easily dispatched James' Cavaliers. The Celtics pulled off the same feat in 2010, which prompted James to take his talents to South Beach.

Since joining Miami, the tables turned in favor of LeBron. The Heat eliminated the Celtics in 2011 and 2012, en route to two straight Finals appearances. 

The plot thickens with the defection of Allen - the one-time Celtic - to Miami. Allen was a pivotal member of the Celtics' big three, but opted to sign with the Heat in free agency, hoping to secure another championship ring (which the Heat did last season). 

There will be no surprises, nor love lost between the four. Pierce understands how to use his strength to stem LeBron's forays to the rim. In response, James developed a more nuanced post-game and a strengthened jumpshot. Garnett and Allen are both limited by age, but they are still elite role players, even at their advanced ages. 

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