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2016 NBA Playoffs: Each Team’s Week 1 MVP

By Gerald Bourguet

April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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2016 NBA Playoffs
Apr 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) controls the ball as Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) defends in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs during the second quarter at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami Heat: Luol Deng/Dwyane Wade/Hassan Whiteside

We’ve only got a two-game sample size to work with, so we’re going to cheat a bit and declare this one a three-way tie between Luol Deng, Dwyane Wade and Hassan Whiteside. In Game 1, Deng put up 31 points on an absurd 11-of-13 shooting, giving him the most points in a playoff debut in Miami Heat franchise history. He’s shooting 17-for-24 on the series.

Then there’s Wade, who is taking his Gatorade breaks at the Fountain of Youth, averaging 22.0 points and 7.5 assists per game while shooting 50 percent in both contests. His Game 2 performance was the catalyst for Miami, with the three-time NBA champion posting 28 points and eight dimes in 32 minutes.

Finally, there’s Hassan Whiteside, who the Hornets just have no answer for inside. He’s averaging 19.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game through the first two games, shooting an insane 17-of-19 shooting from the floor (89.5 percent). This has been a dominant series for the Heat, so it only makes sense they have three players deserving of this designation.

Next: Charlotte Hornets