Eastern Conference finals preview

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The powers-that-be have to be loving the Eastern Conferencefinals matchup between Miami and Boston, two of the leagues marquee teams. TheHeat eliminated the Celtics in last years Eastern Conference semifinals injust five games, but this year circumstances are different.Miamis Chris Bosh is injured and his status is unknown. Andthe Celtics are healthier and more together than a year ago.Why the Heat will win: LeBron James has beenterrific in the postseason and Dwyane Wade is coming off three consecutiveimpressive games.They are simply too young, too athletic and too talented tobe contained by the Celtics. Bosh is out indefinitely with a lower abdominalstrain, but he could return by the end of the series.Defensively, the Heat have an edge, and thats not often thecase when you go up against Boston.How Celtics can win: Kevin Garnett verywell may hold the key to the series. Ever since coach Doc Rivers moved Garnettto center, the Celtics have become a different team.Garnett, of course, is a different kind of center: one whodoes a lot of damage from the perimeter. But against the undersized Heat,Garnett has an opportunity to control the series.Insiders intangible: James is one of thebest defenders in the leaguewhether its guarding someone on the perimeteror on the post. Theres a chance that at some times in this series, James willhave to defend Rajon Rondo. If thats the case, Rondo is going to have his workcut out for him. And if Rondo struggles, the Celtics often struggle.Prediction: Heat in 7.

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