Prediction: Heat in 5
Assuming health, this has the potential to be one of the best first-round series of the 2020 NBA playoffs. However, at this point, I’m not entirely sure that the Indiana Pacers are exactly up to standards in that department. Domantas Sabonis will likely miss the series due to a foot injury and it was reported recently that T.J. Warren is battling a similar-type injury.
Miami is the deeper team and will have the best player on the floor. If Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are healthy and playing at a high level, the Pacers don’t stand much of a chance. Especially if Victor Oladipo is going to continue to look like a shell of his former self.
If the Pacers were healthy, perhaps we’d be having a different conversation right now. However, there’s no guarantee that this will be the case. Miami has its sights set on a long playoff run and we’re going to get an early indication whether they’ll be able to pull it off or not.
The Heat have the better head coach, star player, and are deeper. The Pacers are a good team and will make things difficult for the Heat, but Miami should win in 5.