2018 NBA Playoffs Preview: Philadelphia 76ers vs Miami Heat, SWOT Analysis & Prediction

X-Factor

Philadelphia 76ers

Fultz seems to have recovered adequately from

shoulder

injury

Markelle Fultz has been a revelation ever since his comeback game against the Nuggets when he registered stats of 10 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes. He logged a triple-double in the Sixers' last game of the season against the Bucks, with stats of 13 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals and a block in 25 minutes of game time.

While he hasn't shot 3-pointers at all since his comeback (he has just 1 attempt in 7 games), Fultz is a dynamic player who can power the Sixers on scoring runs he engineers in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Depending on the form displayed by Redick and Belinelli, he is a viable option to stay on the court in the 4th quarter due to his ability as a slasher and in isolation plays.

If Fultz plays his part well, the Sixers will romp home without much trouble.

Dwyane Wade

Wade scores against the Pacers

There are few players in the game today with the number of accolades that Dwyane Wade has accumulated over the course of his illustrious 15-year career in the NBA. The 12-time All-Star has accepted a bench role with the Heat and has shown that he is still an above-average NBA player despite the troubles he's faced with advancing age and a meniscus-less knee.

Wade took over in the Heat's 102-101 win over the 76ers in the regular season, scoring 27 points on 16 field goal attempts and making all 5 of his free throws. His play will dictate how far the Heat will go in the postseason, with his two-way presence and ability to knock down clutch shots.