Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
- Game 1-May 22 Indiana @ Miami 8:30 p.m. (EST) TNT
- Game 2-May 24 Indiana @ Miami 8:30 p.m. (EST) TNT
- Game 3-May 26 Miami @ Indiana 8:30 p.m. (EST) TNT
- Game 4-May 28 Miami @ Indiana 8:30 p.m. (EST) TNT
- Game 5-May 30 Indiana @ Miami 8:30 p.m. (EST) TNT
- Game 6-Jun 1 Miami @ Indiana 8:30 p.m. (EST) TNT
- Game 7-June 3 Indiana @ Miami 8:30 p.m. (EST) TNT
2013 Regular Season Match-up
- January 8 Miami @ Indiana87-77
- January 11 Miami @ Indiana102-89
- March 10 Indiana @ Miami 105-91
Miami Heat Locker Room
In the Eastern Conference finals for a second consecutive year, the Miami Heat are poised for a repeat for the Larry O’Brien trophy. After sweeping the Bucks and beating the Bulls in five games, they now face their greatest challenge standing between them and a trip to the finals. Chicago put some scare into the Heat in a couple games while playing without its all star Derrick Rose and Loul Deng. Chicago at times exploited the Heat’s weaknesses and figured out the blueprint to beating the Heat. Keys to beating the Heat are rebounding and points in the paint, at least that’s what Chicago left us with in game one.The Pacers rank first in the league in rebounding. Yes, defense wins championships, and coaches often say “we have to take away their 3-point shooting” or ” we have to limit turnovers” to beat the Pacers, the Heat will have to limit their turnovers and open up the 3-point shooting game for Ray Allen and company.
Indiana Pacers’ Locker Room
The Pacers have George Hill back and hopefully he will stay healthy. Home court advantage has been important for the Pacers as they are 6-0 in the playoffs when playing at home, and are doing so with an average margin of victory of more than 10 points per game. Rebounding and points in the paint have been Indiana’s bread and butter all season long. Solid guard play from Hill, Lance Stephenson and D.J. Augustin has been tremendous in the playoffs combined with the front court trio of Paul George, Roy Hibbert and David West. They have played every style of basketball this playoffs — high flying or low-scoring ground and pound — and that is one of the ingredients to play against the Heat, being able to play with different flows of the game. No question that the Pacers will put up a fight and take the Heat over the edge and frustrate them, if they want to win.
Final Predictions
I have the Grizzlies winning and the West and I really like the Pacers to win the East, but that’s not going to happen. The Heat simply just have too much talent, experience and star power. It’s going to be an exciting series, but King James will lead the Heat to their second consecutive finals appearance.
Miami Heat wins in 7
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