The general press reaction to the Bulls going up 2-0 against the Heat, if I could amalgamate some headlines, is something like "Heat in Familiar Position against Hungry but Untested Foe; Looking Forward to Winning Game 3."
I suppose the NBA is accustomed to just this kind of rhythm, and this year's Heat did, after all, fulfill the common prophesy of catching the Wizards to claim their division title even though they were under .500 at the all-star break.
But wait! The Wizards were horrible! They went 2-8 to close out the season, and even before Agent Zero got hurt, they'd lost six-out-of-eight. That team fucking sucks!
If the Pistons were somehow down to the Magic 2-0, as a fan you'd feel a little nervous but still probably forecase four straight subsequent wins for Detroit. But the Heat are not the Pistons. I think they can win one at home, but I doubt they can win 2. Down 3-1, with two more games at the United Center, they won't have a prayer.
In my mind, and maybe in reality, there are certain Nintendo-esque rhythms in an even or closely matched playoff series. A team can play at a "turbo" level for perhaps one or two non-consecutive games per series. But doing so early can be perilous, not only because it depletes energy storages but because failing to win in turbo mode damages morale. Therefore, the Heat COULD play game three at turbo mode, but it would leave them critically vulnerable in game 4, even if they pulled it out. The Bulls, meanwhile, only need to turn it on once more in the next three games to put the Heat on the brink of elimination. Inasmuch as they're the better team, in any games where neither squad is turbo-active I would expect the Bulls to clean up.
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I think this relates somewhat to the media bias towards certain teams I brought up before. The Jazz are certainly a talented team, but we're not reading any stories about how they've got the Rockets right where they want them.
Yes, the Heat were down 2 games to the Mavericks last year. But that was more a choke job of the highest order by Dallas than an amazing Miami comeback. Could the Bulls choke in simliar fashion? Sure, why not. That doesn't mean it's likely though.
I also believe Dwayne Wade gets more preferential treatment by refs than apparently any other player. I just feel the need to bring this up as frequently as possible for some reason. Maybe it's because LeBron was supposed to be basketball's Jesus? I dunno.
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