First Thoughts: Miami 99, Indiana 76
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
Let’s take a quick look at how the Indiana Pacers were blown out 99-76 by the Miami Heat on Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Heat advance to face San Antonio in the NBA Finals.
WHY IT HAPPENED: The Pacers’ effort and intensity did not rise to the occasion, and Miami’s did. Consequently, Indiana’s going home, and the Heat have won the Eastern Conference for the third time in three seasons since LeBron James signed in South Beach. The four-time MVP led the way with 32 points and eight rebounds but it wasn’t among his most memorable efforts. It didn’t have to be. Dwyane Wade bounced back from a bruised right knee that had diminished his production all postseason and resembled himself with 21 points and nine rebounds. For the Pacers, a flood of turnovers doomed them to a 52-37 halftime deficit and nobody really played that well. Paul George fouled out in the fourth quarter with seven points and seven rebounds. Roy Hibbert had 18 points and eight rebounds but he had just four points and three rebounds in the first half. David West scored 14 and George Hill added 13. Indiana shot 41 percent from the field and committed 21 turnovers, 15 before the break.
WHAT WE LEARNED: The Pacers weren’t good enough when the stakes were highest and melted under Miami’s intense defensive pressure. At times center Chris Bosh was used to apply full-court pressure and the Pacers struggled mightily to execute in the halfcourt. Miami guard Ray Allen provided a huge boost, scoring 10 points, all in the second quarter, to help open up a nice lead. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was a step ahead of counterpart Frank Vogel all series, and he had his players ready to play with a defensive game plan centered around aggressive double-teaming all over the floor. Bosh didn’t play all that well, contributing nine points and eight rebounds, but really stood his ground in guarding Indiana’s physical big men. The Heat shot just 40 percent from the floor but won the battle of the boards for the first time all series, 43-36. The Pacers’ future is bright simply because of the immense talent on their roster. George went out on a down note, but he had some amazing games in the series and might win a conference title one of these years. Hibbert also proved he can be the centerpiece of a postseason run. He was the MVP of the Pacers’ April/May performances.
KEY NUMBER: Through three quarters, both teams were shooting 38 percent from the floor, but the Pacers had allowed Miami 14 offensive rebounds while grabbing just five of their own misses. Combined with the turnovers, it presented a problem of volume, as the Heat had taken 13 more field-goal attempts and attempted seven more free throws.
TURNING POINT: Vogel was caught with three reserves on the floor for the first four minutes of the second quarter. Miami’s eyes lit up and the Heat went on a 14-6 run during that time to take a six-point lead. From there they only built the advantage, and the Pacers were finished.
NEXT: The Pacers turn toward an offseason in which West and D.J. Augustin are scheduled for free agency and Tyler Hansbrough for restricted free agency. Indiana also has a first-round selection in the June draft that front office officials should attempt to turn into a useful bench piece.
