What the Bulls Need to Do to Win: Da Young Bulls team need to NOT be intimidated going into Miami because they are not as playoff hardened as the Heat.  Keeping their composure and executing will be key.  Tyson Chandler will need to rebound defensively, not allowing second chances down low for the Heat, as well as be an intimidator with his long arms, contesting shots.  Of course, he’ll have to do all this while containing Shaquille O’Neal at the same time.  Yeah, it’ll be an easy night for Chandler, right?  Ben Gordon needs to take control of the game offensively like he has the potential to do at any point in a game and Kirk Hinrich needs to keep the team together, contributing in the many ways that he does.  I’m not sure if the Bulls have anyone to stop Dwyane Wade, but really what NBA team does?  They’ll have to do their best to not allow Wade to get into his rhythm or else he’ll have a big game.

What the Heat Need to Do to Win: The Heat cannot get overconfident playing against the inexperienced Bulls.  However, considering the roster is made up mostly of cagey veterans, underestimating the Bulls shouldn’t happen.  But, you never know considering it’s the first game of the playoffs, something this team was built for, and they’re at home.  Regardless, the Heat will have to make sure Ben Gordon is shadowed, otherwise, he can go off on a very hot streak.  O’Neal will probably get his spots to get some rest and if there is anyone on this team that can deflate the opponents’ hopes of winning, it’s a dominant Shaq.  Antoine Walker will need to become a second threat when Shaq rests so that the Bulls defense does not totally hound Wade.

My Prediction: Heat 95, Bulls 92; Wade paces the Heat with 36 points and Ben Gordon misses the game-tying three with two seconds to go.  Previous to that Gordon hit five in a row from the land of the trey.  No worries, BG, there’s always the next day for your heroics.