did get something better.
Some highlights from
two ESPN articles:
But the Pacers did accomplish something: They got the Heat's attention. So much so that Miami left AmericanAirlines Arena contemplating a possible playoff meeting with a team that has given it plenty of trouble this season.
"They're a playoff team, they're probably going to be there and we have a chance of playing them," said Chris Bosh, who had 19 points but also had his hands full with Josh McRoberts and Tyler Hansbrough all night.
"We have to keep that in mind."
The Pacers played with that confidence against the Heat, attacking their usually stout defense from the outset and leaving the Heat scrambling for a lineup that could contain Indiana's weapons.
The Heat had plenty of trouble dealing with Hibbert, McRoberts and Hansbrough, especially when they hooked up with Collison. The Pacers put up 54 points in the paint and 51 percent shooting with a nice balance of 18 second-chance points and 17 fastbreak points. They were beating Miami in the open court and in the trenches. Six different Pacers scored in double figures as the Heat had difficulty matching up.
"They have some unique talent, they have a lot of speed and guys who can shoot the ball," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We believe this is a deep conference and we have great respect for the Pacers."
Despite these late-game failures, however, the Pacers left believing they'd made an impression. Not just on a potential playoff foe, but to themselves as well.
"We pretty much had the game all the way up until five minutes left," said Granger, who finished with 19 points. "It shows we can compete with anybody."
Full article here: http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-110209/daily-dime
[MIA:] Interior Defense
GRADE: D+
Not only did the Heat allow Roy Hibbert deep catches in the paint, but Tyler Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts eluded defenders to carve out space inside, while Danny Granger maneuvered his way into the lane at will. The Heat clamped down in the fourth quarter, but it shouldn't take this team 36 minutes to shrink the floor.
Indiana Pacers
GRADE: A-
They've retained a few of former coach Jim O'Brien's pretty motion sets, but are increasingly focused on feeding Hibbert in the post. The big man's teammates do a nice job working off the ball and spacing the floor. Defensively, Indiana didn't have an answer for James, but the Pacers contest everything else -- entry passes, penetration, cuts -- and make smart reads.
ThermoStat
By Tom Haberstroh
ESPN.com
The Heat allowed the Pacers to shoot 44-for-86 from the floor and 7-for-22 from beyond the arc. Indiana's 55.2 effective field goal percentage on Tuesday night is the highest the Heat have allowed to a team under .500 and the fourth highest overall.
Full article here: http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/notebook/_/page/heatreaction-110208/indiana-pacers-miami-heat
Go, PACERS!
