NBA: 3 most entertaining potential first-round playoff matchups

1-seed Miami Heat vs. 8-seed Brooklyn Nets

This would be a conference final level matchup as two eastern conference powerhouses would square off in the first-round

While the Nets have struggled with numerous problems this year including injuries, Kyrie’s vaccination status, and James Harden’s trade request, people forget that the Nets are arguably the most stacked team in the East on paper.

Kevin Durant is not only one of the greatest scorers of this era but also one of the greatest scorers of all time. Kyrie Irving is a superstar point guard, who actually may benefit from being on the road due to New York City’s current mandates.

They also added Ben Simmons in the James Harden trade who, due to his inability to shoot, has widely been written off. It should be remembered that, while he can’t shoot, Simmons is elite in many other aspects of the game. His defensive prowess could come in handy guarding a guy like Jimmy Butler. These three surrounded by solid vets like Patty Mills and LaMarcus Aldridge still make the Nets a threat.

The Heat are without a doubt one of the most stacked teams in the league. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker, the list goes on and on. The Heat are the top dogs in the east and they just got 2-time all-star Victor Oladipo back. It doesn’t hurt that they’ve been hot lately going 7-3 in their last 10.

The Heat also has one of the best home-court advantages in the league going 23-8 when they play in South Beach. Jimmy Butler is one of the league’s best defenders who may have success against guarding one of the league’s best scorers in Durant.

This is series screams “box-office” and easily has the potential for 7 games.