2013 NBA Playoffs – Eastern Conference Finals Game #2
#3 Indiana Pacers at #1 Miami Heat
Heat Lead Best of Seven Series 1-0
Friday, May 24, 2013, 8:35 pm Eastern, TV: TNT
American Airlines Arena – Miami, Florida
Opening Line: Miami -7
Current Line: Miami -7 1/2
Opening Total: 181
Current Total: 182
Opening Money Line: Heat -325 / Pacers +275
Current Money Line: Heat -370 / Pacers +310
In game #1 of the Eastern Conference Finals neither team led my more than 7 points. In fact for the last 6:40 of the game including 5 minutes of overtime, neither team led by more than 3 points. The game featured 18 ties and 17 lead changes. The Indiana Pacers looked to steal home court in game one against a Miami Heat team that had a week off and could have been a little rusty. The Pacers would take a 42-37 lead into halftime. The Heat would cut the lead to 65-64 at the end of the third. Neither team could pull away in the fourth quarter. The Heat took a 92-89 lead with under 20 seconds left. Indiana forward Paul George hit an off balance 3 with less than a second left to tie it. Miami guard Ray Allen missed a desperation heave at the other end to send the game into overtime.
The Pacers took a 3 point lead with about a minute left in overtime, but the Heat tied ti up. Miami would take a 101-99 lead with 10 seconds left on a LeBron James driving lay-up. Indiana coach Frank Vogel took center Roy Hibbert out of the game for the play leaving no one to protect the rim. On the ensuing possession, officials called a controversial sixth foul on Dwyane Wade on what officials called a 3 point shot by George. He missed the shot but but made all three free throws. The Heat called a timeout down 102-101 with 2.2 seconds left. Vogel left Hibbert out of the game again. LeBron caught the inbounds pass around the three point line, and drove past George for the game winning lay-up at the buzzer to give the Heat the 103-102 win.
Neither team shot very well from 3 point range. The Pacers made only 4 of 14 from beyond the arc, and the Heat were 5 for 18. Both teams had 20 turnovers. James had a triple double with 30 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 blocks. He became the first player in NBA history to have a triple double and hit the game winning buzzer beater in a playoff game. Wade had 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Chris Bosh had 17 points, 2 rebounds and 2 blocks. Forward Chris Anderson made all 7 of his field goals and scored 16 points along with 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. Guard Mario Chalmers scored 10 points, before leaving the game with a bruised shoulder. He is questionable Friday night.
George scored 27 points and added 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Indiana forward David West added 26 points and 5 rebounds. Hibbert scored 19 points, and had 9 rebounds and 2 blocks. Forward Tyler Hansbrough had 10 points off the bench along with 6 rebounds. The Pacers need to get more production from their backcourt as guards George Hill and Lance Stephenson combined for only 12 points. The both contributed in other ways though. Stephenson had 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Hill had 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals. Hill is probable Friday with a concussion.
Indiana is coached by Frank Vogel. The Pacers are 51-43 ATS and the total is 45-47-2 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. The Pacers have played the entire season without all-star forward Danny Granger.
Miami is coached by Eric Spoelstra. The Heat are 51-40 ATS this season and the total is 46-43-2. 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. 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 4-1 after a straight up loss, against teams with winning records, overall, and against Eastern Conference teams, 13-5 after allowing 100 points or more, 5-2 against Southeast Division teams, and 2-5 after the opponent scores 100 points or more. The underdog is 29-14-1 ATS in this series recently.
Miami is 6-1 ATS after failing to cover, and after scoring 100 points or more, 4-1 when the opponent allows 100 points or more, 10-3 after allowing 100 points or more, 13-5 overall, and against Eastern Conference teams, 5-2 on one day rest, 9-4 against Central Division teams, 11-5 after a straight up win, 2-5 in conference finals games, and 1-4 at home. The over is 6-1 in the last 7 games in the series.
The Pacers know they let a golden opportunity to steal home court away Wednesday night. Now will there be a hangover on Friday, and the Pacers get blown out in game 2. That is a possibility. Another is the Pacers use the fact that they took the 66 win Miami Heat to the limit and came within a lay-up of winning. I think Miami wins but the Pacers keep it close.
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