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2012-13 NBA Preview: Miami Heat
- Updated: October 15, 2012
1. Miami Heat
WHY THEY SHOULD WIN: The Heat should waltz to the NBA Finals without so much as a hiccup. This team is light years ahead of any in the East, and it has proven that the past two seasons by reaching the Finals despite a myriad of issues that struck them in the playoffs. The roster looks better than it has at any time in the last three years, and LeBron’s confidence should be at an all-time high following a dream summer in which he carried his team to an NBA championship and his country to a Gold Medal. The addition of Ray Allen gives Miami yet another shooter who can stretch the floor and give LeBron and Wade room to drive.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG: Injuries. Dwayne Wade hasn’t exactly been an Iron Man in his NBA career, and Chris Bosh’s injury last season nearly derailed Miami’s title hopes. Allen isn’t a spring chicken, and neither is Shane Battier.
FINAL DESTINATION: It sure looks like a third straight trip to the NBA Finals. Miami may not take home the NBA title again, but unless things go drastically wrong, they should make it out of a watered-down East.
OUR CALL: 63-19. And another trip to the Finals.
| TEAM ROSTER | |||||||
| NO. | NAME | POS | AGE | HT | WT | COLLEGE | 2012-2013 SALARY |
| 34 | Ray Allen | G | 37 | 6-5 | 205 | Connecticut | $3,090,000 |
| 50 | Joel Anthony | C | 30 | 6-9 | 245 | UNLV | $3,750,000 |
| 31 | Shane Battier | F | 34 | 6-8 | 225 | Duke | $3,135,000 |
| 1 | Chris Bosh | F | 28 | 6-11 | 235 | Georgia Tech | $17,545,000 |
| 51 | Rodney Carney | F | 28 | 6-7 | 205 | Memphis | $854,389 |
| 15 | Mario Chalmers | G | 26 | 6-2 | 190 | Kansas | $4,000,000 |
| 30 | Norris Cole | G | 24 | 6-2 | 175 | Cleveland State | $1,082,520 |
| 7 | Robert Dozier | F | 26 | 6-9 | 215 | Memphis | $473,604 |
| 32 | Mickell Gladness | C | 26 | 6-11 | 220 | Alabama A&M | $762,195 |
| 41 | Justin Hamilton | C | 22 | 7-0 | 260 | LSU | |
| 55 | Josh Harrellson | F | 23 | 6-10 | 275 | Kentucky | $762,195 |
| 14 | Terrel Harris | G | 25 | 6-4 | 190 | Oklahoma State | $762,195 |
| 40 | Udonis Haslem | F | 32 | 6-8 | 235 | Florida | $4,060,000 |
| 6 | LeBron James | F | 27 | 6-8 | 250 | $17,545,000 | |
| 22 | James Jones | F | 32 | 6-8 | 215 | Miami (FL) | $1,500,000 |
| 9 | Rashard Lewis | F | 33 | 6-10 | 230 | $1,352,181 | |
| 13 | Mike Miller | F | 32 | 6-8 | 210 | Florida | $5,800,000 |
| 45 | Dexter Pittman | C | 24 | 6-11 | 285 | Texas | $854,389 |
| 17 | Garrett Temple | G | 26 | 6-6 | 195 | LSU | $854,389 |
| 24 | Jarvis Varnado | F | 24 | 6-9 | 230 | Mississippi State | $473,604 |
| 3 | Dwyane Wade | G | 30 | 6-4 | 220 | Marquette | $17,182,000 |
| Coach: Erik Spoelstra |
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