2013 NBA Playoffs – Eastern Conference Finals Game #7
#3 Indiana Pacers at #1 Miami Heat
Best of Seven Series Tied 3-3
Monday, June 3, 2013, 8:35 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
American Airlines Arena – Miami, Florida
Opening Line: Miami -7 1/2
Current Line: Miami -7
Opening Total: 181
Current Total: 180 1/2
Opening Money Line: Heat -375 / Pacers +315
Current Money Line: Heat -350 / Pacers +290
When you here the words game 7 you know you are usually in for a treat as a sports fan whether you are talking about baseball, hockey or basketball. After a grueling season and series your season comes down to one game. The Indiana Pacers made sure they would have a game 7 against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 91-77 win Saturday night in game six. No team has won two straight games in this series. For the Pacers, this is their first game 7 since 2005. Indiana is 2-3 all time in game 7’s. Miami beat the Boston Celtics in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Miami is 3-3 all time in game 7’s. The San Antonio Spurs who swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals await the Miami-Indiana winner in the Finals.
Game six was almost the exact reverse of game five. In game five, Miami broke open what was a close game at halftime with a huge third quarter and cruised to a 90-79 win. In game six, it was a huge third quarter buy the Pacers that allowed them to win 91-77 to keep their season alive.
Despite making just 3 of 22 shots from inside the three point line to start the game Miami found themselves up 40-39 at halftime. However, the Pacers would go on a 14-2 run in the third to go up 66-49. The Heat would score only 6 points for the first 8 minutes of the third. Miami would close the quarter down 68-55. In the fourth, Miami pulled to within 72-68 thanks to a spark from reserve guard Mike Miller who made 2 threes and made a couple of plays on defense as well. Indiana then went on a 9-0 run and Miami would never threaten again. LeBron James was called for an offensive foul and ran to the other end of the court in disbelief. He was called for a tech as was a Heat assistant coach. The Pacers made both free throws and a lay-up to go up 81-68. Indiana would hold on for the 14 point win.
Indiana shot 50% from the field including 6 for 11 from 3 point range. Miami was 36% from the field and it could have been even worse if they didn’t make 10 of 18 three pointers. The biggest difference in the game was Indiana outrebounded them 53-33 and outscored them 44-22 in the paint. Miami really missed the rebounding energy of Chris “Birdman” Andersen who was suspended after shoving Pacers’ forward Tyler Hansbrough in game five.
Indiana forward Paul George continued his brilliant post-season run with 28 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Center Roy Hibbert had 24 points and 11 rebounds. Point guard George Hill had 16 points, 6 assists, and 2 rebounds. Forward David West scored 11 points mostly in the fourth quarter and added 14 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and 2 blocks. He had a respiratory infection and was reportedly battling a fever of 103 degrees during the game.
LeBron had his normal impressive stats. He scored 29 points on 10 for 21 shooting and added 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a block. The problem was James got basically no help from any of his teammates. As Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony have discovered it is virtually impossible to win an NBA playoff game by yourself if you get no scoring help. Dwyane Wade scored 10 points on 3 for 11 shooting. Guard Mario Chalmers also had 10 points on 3 for 8 shooting. Guard Norris Cole scored 9 points off the bench. Ray Allen and Miller each scored 6 points. Chris Bosh scored 5 points on 1 for 8 shooting and had 4 rebounds. Both Bosh (ankle) and Wade (knee) are battling injuries but both have been reduced to glorified role players in this series. Bosh can’t defend Hibbert and can’t do anything on offense against him either except maybe make some 3’s.
Indiana is coached by Frank Vogel. The Pacers are 55-44 ATS and the total is 44-49-2 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. Forward David West is averaging 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Center Roy Hibbert is averaging 14 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. Lance Stephenson, Gerald Green, D.J. Augustin, Sam Young and Tyler Hansbrough make up the rest of the rotation. Hansbrough is questionable with an ankle injury. The Pacers have played the entire season without all-star forward Danny Granger.
Miami is coached by Eric Spoelstra. The Heat are 53-43 ATS this season and the total is 48-45-2. 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 6-2 ATS against Southeast Division teams, 5-2 in conference final games, 10-4 against teams with winning records, overall, and against Eastern Conference teams, and 7-3 in Monday games. The over si 9-3 in the last 12 in this series and 4-1 in Miami.
Miami is 10-1 ATS after a straight up loss, 8-2 after failing to cover, 8-2 after failing to cover, 2-5 at home, against teams with winning records, overall, against Eastern Conference teams, and against Central Division teams.
Miami has been very resilient the last 2 years after a loss or when their backs are against the wall. LeBron goes into “killer mode” and the Heat win. However, you shouldn’t take for granted that will happen tonight. If he doesn’t get any help tonight, then Indiana has a great shot at pulling off the upset. George and Hibbert have been nearly unstoppable. A Heat loss could mean the end of the “Big three” era as there are reports Bosh could be traded. Ok, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I think Wade and Bosh show up just because of pride and Miami gets just enough from Haslem, Andersen, Miller, Chalmers and Cole to pull out a tough win against the gritty Pacers.
