The potential X-Factor in the Hornets vs Heat series

After giving up a 26pt lead in a loss to Boston last night, the Heat were excited to learn that they would be the third seed heading into the playoffs. Thanks to the Hawks losing to the Washington Wizards, the Heat will h
ave homecourt advantage when they go up against the Charlotte Hornets.

The last time these two teams faced each other, the Heat swept them in four games. But that was when the Heat had LeBron and Charlotte, named Bobcats then, had current Heat forward Josh McRoberts on the team. These two teams are very different now.

Since the all-star break, the Hornets have posted the best record in the Eastern conference with 21-8. The Heat went 19-10.

Similiar to their previous matchup in the playoffs Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson both have caused matchup problems for the Heat this season. And it's not only them. Charlotte forwards Nick Batum and Marvin Williams have also hurted the Heat from long range.

If I have to pick an X-factor this series, it'll be Heat center Hassan Whiteside, who is a North Carolina native. He's the league's leading shot blocker who protects the paint for the Heat and also picks up the scoring slack for Miami at times. However, he has had trouble guarding Al Jefferson and needs to be ready for it. If Whiteside wins that matchup, the Heat can really take control of this series.