2013 NBA Playoffs – Eastern Conference Finals Game #4
#1 Miami Heat at #3 Indiana Pacers
Heat lead Best of Seven Series 2-1
Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 8:35 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, Indiana
Opening Line: Miami -2
Current Line: Miami -2 1/2
Opening Total: 185
Current Total: 184 1/2
Opening Money Line: Heat -135 / Pacers +115
Current Money Line: Heat -145 / Pacers +125
Going into the Eastern Conference Finals Finals, the Indiana Pacers made no secret of their game plan against the Miami Heat. The Pacers knew they couldn’t really stop the Heat’s Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, but they could have success against the heat if theyu shit down every one else. It worked very well as they earned a split in Miami in the first two games. The Pacers could have easily won both games in Miami, actually. The Heat escaped with 103-102 win in overtime in game one on a driving lay-up from Lebron at the buzzer. The Pacers would take home court with a 97-93 win in game two.
Sunday’s game three in Indianapolis was a completely different story. After a wild first quarter in which the teams combined for 64 points, Miami would take control of the game by outscoring the Pacers by 10 points in the second. The Heat scored 70 points in the first half against one of the best defensive teams in the league. The biggest difference was Miami put James in the post and he was able to dominate the paint. Miami would outscore the Pacers 56-32 in the paint. James made two costly turnovers down the stretch of game 2 that cost Miami the game. Miami would have only 5 for the whole game in game three.
In the second half Indiana opened the half on a 7-0 run to pull within 7 points. Miami then went on a 9-4 run and the Pacers would never challenge again. Miami would go on to win going away 114-96. The Heat have won 23 of their last 24 road games, and 47 of their last 51 games overall. The Pacers now face the daunting task of winning 3 of the next 4 games in the series.
The Heat shot 54.5% from the field, including 6/14 from 3 point range. Miami also made 28 of 24 free throws. James led all scorers with 22 points, and added 4 rebounds, 3 assists. Wade added 18 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, a steal, and 2 blocks. Bosh scored 15 points and added 3 rebounds. The biggest story was forward Udonis Haslem scored 17 points and had 7 rebounds. He made 8 of 9 free throws. Guard Mario Chalmers scored 14 points. He bruised his shoulder in game 2 but is probable Wednesday night. Forward Chris “Birdman” Andersen had 9 points and 9 rebounds. He has made 16 straight field goals in the playoffs.
Indiana shot 39.7% from the field including 8 of 14 3 pointers. The Pacers missed 14 of 44 free throws. Indiana forward David West had 21 points and 10 rebounds. Center Roy Hibbert scored 20 points, and added 17 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Point guard George Hill had 19 points. Forward George Hill had 13 points and 8 assists.
Miami is coached by Eric Spoelstra. The Heat are 52-41 ATS this season and the total is 47-43-2. Miami is outscoring teams 103-95 this season. The Heat are #5 in scoring and in points allowed. Miami is shooting 49.6% from the field and 39.6% from 3 point range. The Heat lead the league in field goal shooting and are #2 in 3 point shooting. Miami makes 75.4% of their free throws. The Heat are last in the league in rebounding at 38.6 per game, and fourth in rebounds allowed with 40.1. Miami opponents are shooting 44% from the field and 35% from 3 point range. Miami is 11th or better in both categories. The Heat average 23 assists, 8.7 steals, 5.4 blocks, and 13.3 turnovers per game.
In the playoffs, forward LeBron James is averaging 24 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.7 steal per game. He won his fourth MVP award. Guard Dwyane Wade is averaging a playoff career low 13 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He is battling a bruised knee that won’t heal until the offseason. Forward/center Chris Bosh averages 13.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2 blocks per game. Guard Ray Allen averages 12.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. Point guard Mario Chalmers averages 7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Chalmers bruised his shoulder in game #1 but played in game 2. The breakout star of the playoffs for Miami has been Norris Cole. The point guard is averaging 8.8 points a game. Forward Shane Battier averages 5.6 points and 2 rebounds. Rashard Lewis, Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller, and Chris Andersen make up the rest of the rotation.
Indiana is coached by Frank Vogel. The Pacers are 53-43 ATS and the total is 47-47-2 this season. The Pacers are outscoring teams 95-91 this season. Indiana is second in the league in points allowed and #23 in scoring. The Pacers are shooting 43.6% from the field and 34.7% from 3 point range. Indiana is 22nd or worse in both categories. The Pacers make 74.6% of their free throws. Indiana leads the league in rebounding at 45.8 per game, and are #8 in rebounds allowed at 40.9. Indiana opponents are shooting 42% from the field and 32.7% from 3 point range. The Pacers lead the league in both categories. Indiana averages 20.3 assists, 7.2 steals, 6.3 blocks, and 14.5 turnovers.
In the playoffs, forward Paul George is averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Point guard George Hill is averaging 15.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. He missed game 5 against the Knicks with a concussion but did play in game 6. Forward David West is averaging 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He is probable with a lower leg injury. Center Roy Hibbert is averaging 14 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. He is probable with a thumb injury. Lance Stephenson, Gerald Green, D.J. Augustin, and Tyler Hansbrough make up the rest of the rotation. Forward Sam Young is questionable with an ankle injury. The Pacers have played the entire season without all-star forward Danny Granger.
Miami is 21-5 ATS in road games, 17-5 against teams with winning home records, 6-2 after scoring 100 points or more, 8-3 after a straight up win of 10 points or more, 14-6 overall, and against Eastern Conference teams, 7-3 after the opponent allows 100 points or more, and 9-4 after a cover. The last 5 games in this series have gone over the total. The over is 4-1 in the last five in Indianapolis in the series.
Indiana is 4-0 ATS after a straight up loss, and after allowing 100 points or more, 6-1 at home, 4-1 after failing to cover, and against Southeast Division teams, 6-2 in Tuesday games, 11-4 after a loss of 10 points or more, 8-3 against teams with winning records, overall, and against Eastern Conference teams, and 5-12-1 after a double digit home loss.
This is a must win for the Pacers, as a loss would put them down 3-1 and on the brink of elimination. However, if Miami gets another scoring game from Haslem and Chalmers, then Miami will win again. With the San Antonio Spurs sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western conference Finals, the Heat would very much like to wrap up the series in 5 games so they can get a week off before the Finals which begin next Thursday. The Heat take command of the series, but the Pacers keep it closer than game 3.
