May 18, 2014
3:30 PM EST
Bankers Life Fieldhouse - Indianapolis, IN
The Skinny
Well, here we are. After taking a devastating game 7 loss last year in Miami, the Pacers came out determined in 2014 to improve the team and grab the #1 seed so as to not suffer the same fate 2 years in a row, and that’s what they’ve done. The Pacers are now exactly where they wanted to be with homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference Finals, but it’s not over yet. The Pacers need to beat the Heat to move on to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. They Pacers suffered a brutal 7 game series against the Atlanta Hawks and a just as strenuous 6 game series against the Wizards culminating against the Heat, who have only lost 1 game in the entire playoffs. Can the Pacers finally overcome the Heat? Or will LeBron and co. be one step closer to a 3-peat?
The Lineups
Point Guard
After 6 games of guarding Bradley Beal and John Wall, George Hill can finally breathe a sigh of relief. He’ll now be charged with guarding Mario Chalmers, who is not nearly as good as the aforementioned two, but still has burned the Pacers in the past with his 3 point shooting and his ability, to put it bluntly, flop.
Shooting Guard
The Heat managed Dwayne Wade’s playing time constantly throughout the season for this very moment. The Heat will need him to keep the always enigmatic Lance in check, who always seems to bring his best against the Heat. Lance struggled against the Wizards, but he’ll need to step up is play if the offense is to run smoothly.
Small Forward
Here’s the primetime matchup that will determine the series. Paul George has shown flashes of MVP level brilliance in his 39 point game against the Wizards, but at other points in the series he’s been non-existent, relying on iso ball or David West to bail him out. His matchup, LeBron James, may not have been the MVP this year, but he’s no less dominant. Paul George will need to play shutdown defense to slow down the player that turns the wheels for the Heat. No LeBron means no wins for the Heat, and that starts with Paul George.
Power Forward
You can never be to sure who will start at power forward for the Heat, but considering the way Udonis Haslem played in previous games in the regular season against the Pacers, I’d bet on him starting. David West continues to be the backbone of the Pacers and carried them to a game 6 win that sealed their trip to the ECF with a 30 point performance. His mid-range game is the best in the business and his pick and roll game won’t be stopped. David West never seems to falter on the big stage, so I expect no less from him now.
Center
Roy Hibbert always shows up against the Heat and he continues to be the bane of every Heat fan’s existence. Now should be no different. Greg Oden was brought in to slow down Hibbert, but he is still the injury proned big man that we all remember from his Portland days. The key for Hibbert will be to not get sucked out of the paint to guard Bosh’s threes. In fact, we might see Hibbert guard Udonis Haslem so he can remain in the paint while the more mobile David West chases Chris Bosh around.
The Bench
Both benches are entirely transparent every time these two teams play, it seems. Outside of Luis Scola’s mid range game, everything about the Indiana bench have been the definition of unreliable. Ray Allen continues to light it up from 3 for the Heat, while the rest of the bench remains just as bad as the Pacers’ bench.
Injury Report
Pacers
None
Miami Heat
None
The Tradition
Spoiler:
jk.