ECF, Game 3: #1 Pacers vs. #2 Heat, Series Tied 1-1

[Jake0890]

May 24, 2014
8:30 PM EST
AmericanAirlines Arena - Miami, FL

The Skinny

The Pacers were neck and neck with the Heat throughout game 2 that would’ve set them ahead in the series 2-0, and after Paul George hit a 3 at the end of the shotclock to give the Pacers a 67-70 lead, it seemed the game was all but over. Alas, after David West took Norris Cole’s finger straight to his eye and Paul George had his brain pinballed between Dwayne Wade’s knee and the court, the game turned for the worst. With 3 straight possessions that ended in turnovers, the Miami Heat grabbed a 76-70 lead and the Pacers had lost all momentum and the Heat had the game in their hands. At that point, it was a matter of winding down the clock. The Pacers could have, and really should have won this game. But instead, LeBron took over and now the Pacers fast a must win in one of the next 2 games. They simply can’t go down 3-1 heading into game 5.

The Lineups

Point Guard


Shooting Guard


Small Forward


Power Forward


Center


The Bench




Norris Cole single handedly outscored the Pacers’ bench. That’s all that needs to be said here.

Injury Report

Pacers
Paul George, concussion - WILL PLAY

Miami Heat
None

The Tradition

Spoiler:

[SmashMouthRod]

Vogel needs to improve with making in-game adjustments. I like using Rasual over Evan for spacing; but Mahinmi isnt providing anything during his 10 to 15 mins. The reason the starters are being worn down is because proper adjustments arent being made (in-game). They could at least get some rebounds and hustle using Lavoy as the backup 5. I wonder if im missing something here. Last year Roy Hibbert dominated any Miami Heat's big. And now all of a sudden Udonis Haslem is good enough to defend hibbert by himself. I would plan to abuse that matchup as the team should have found a way last game. Stephenson has been amazing; hopefully he keeps it up. Seems a lot of media outlets think that Miami did such a great job on defense. I watched the game again today and in all honesty CJ Watson; Scola; and Paul George seemed to just miss every shot; with many of them being wide open off of great ball movement. David West had a few roll in and out; and many of his attempts being good looks or open shots as well. Im hoping that the guys can refocus and get game 3. Since Miami is playing the pick and rolls so heavily I would go inside to post Hibbert more. If Roy can get some offensive rhythm forcing doubles or zones; it will open up the jump shots for G. Hill; Paul and Lance. Maybe Roy needs to do a better job of establishing the position as well. But Like shaq says "smaller defenders should be barbeque chicken" for Roy.

[Jake0890]

Paul George has been cleared to play game 3.

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[EuroPacer]

Thanks for the thread Jake!

Catching up on games 1/2 now. Some interesting basketball, seems to me that if Miami remembers to play defense we struggle quite a bit, but it seems to be zapping energy out of them. I think we will lose tonight and win the next game, but I have no real scientific evidence for that

[WestEndZone]

My friend who works for the Heat tells me that the Heat's intro will feature "Rains of Castamere"

them cats are ruining everything I love.

[Jake0890]

Its clear the gameplan has changed to put more emphasis on getting the ball in the post and taking advantage of our size. There's just no one on the Heat that can match up well with David West.

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[Jake0890]

Do we have to play our bench?

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[Miller4ever]

Our bench is not giving Vogel a reason to take them out despite that rocky end to the 1st.

[Jake0890]

Wow, we really blew that lead. Got saved by halftime.

[SmashMouthRod]

Evan Turner stinks. The bigs are playing well. Lance was solid. Hopefully Paul and Mr West can get it going because the lead wont be sustainable if they dont. Also we need to get that ball moving better than what they did at the end of that 2nd. Paul should be killing these guys with Lebron guarding Lance. Those last two fouls on Paul were BS. Hopefully this isnt a game that the refs rob INdy.

[Jake0890]

Holy **** the refs are calling so many fouls on both sides. Just let them play. Jesus.

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[Jake0890]

Wow.

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[SmashMouthRod]

The refs are determining the game. A lot of these calls were bad ones. Paul has had no impact on the game. I think Indy may be in trouble.

[Jake0890]

Side note: I'm gonna need one of you guys to do game 4's thread. I'm going out of town for a few days, so if someone could pick it up for me once, I'd appreciate it.

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[SmashMouthRod]

A lot of the turnovers on Post passes to Roy are his fault; because he isnt establishing position and when the pass is made the defender is knocking the ball loose. He has to do a better job of creating space for the catch in the post so that he can finish. Honestly he should be scoring 30 per game on Haslem. Also Paul wasnt right in this game. Maybe the foul calls had an impact on rhythm; but he missed some open looks from 3 and 4 free throws. Not like him. I think guys are trying so hard to pass that they dont always make the right play. Sometimes when the Heat is playing zone to prevent the post pass; guys need to attack off the dribble and look to either score or deliver the ball to the open man. Also Were not doing the best job of defending the rim. Norris Cole and several others had some easy layups in this game that should never happen. Haslem has hibbert away from the rim. The adjustment needs to be made to keep him protecting the rim.

[Nuntius]

That was a bad way to lose the game. Game 4 is an absolute must win now.

[C-Dub47]

That was a bad way to lose the game. Game 4 is an absolute must win now.

Pretty much this.

So many breaksdowns and low points in this game after the huge lead. Hibbert is so frustrating some times, 2 boards in 37 minutes?

[mikepacernation]

Just hard to believe with how small Miami plays that the pacers starting PF an C can only get 7 rebounds..


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[basketballwacko2]

The refs are determining the game. A lot of these calls were bad ones. Paul has had no impact on the game. I think Indy may be in trouble.

I'm sick of it I turned it off with 4 min to play.

[Nuntius]

That was a bad way to lose the game. Game 4 is an absolute must win now.

Pretty much this.

So many breaksdowns and low points in this game after the huge lead. Hibbert is so frustrating some times, 2 boards in 37 minutes?

Honestly, I don't give a crap about Roy's rebounding numbers. Our defense is not designed to allow him to grab the defensive board and that's why his totals tend to be low. When his rebounding is important is on the offensive end. That's what Roy failed to give us tonight. Offensive boards.

He had a good first half but he was bad in the second. The Heat never allowed us to get the ball cleanly to Hibbert in the second half.