First Thoughts: Heat 97, Pacers 94
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Co-Editor
First thoughts after the Indiana Pacers blew a big lead and faded late in a 97-94 loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena:
IN A NUTSHELL: Paul George had 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists, stepping up in the second half as Miami fought back from an 11-point halftime deficit, but George’s best efforts were not enough as the two-time champion Heat rallied for a crunch-time victory on their home floor. David West scored 23 points for Indiana, making crazy tough shots all evening, and Lance Stephenson had 13 points and nine rebounds. Pacers coach Frank Vogel committed a major error early in the third quarter after Roy Hibbert picked up his fourth foul with 9:20 left in the period. Less than a minute later, Hibbert picked up his fifth, and sat on the bench until 6:12 remained in the game. LeBron James had 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists after Miami decided to play him on a twisted left ankle. Dwyane Wade scored a season-high 32 points, while Chris Bosh had 15 points and eight rebounds. Miami (19-6) is now just a game behind Indiana (20-5) in the race for first place in the Eastern Conference.
KEY SEQUENCE: After Wade got clear for a dunk that cut Indiana’s 15-point lead to three, Indiana came out of a timeout with 2:43 remaining and couldn’t generate much of an offense. With 90 seconds left, James set up Bosh for a 3-pointer from the left wing that tied the game at 92. After George missed a running jumper late in the clock, James snared the rebound and pushed ahead in transition with two teammates running at his side. He chucked it to the right wing for Ray Allen, who buried a 3 with 59.5 seconds remaining that gave the Heat a 95-92 lead. After West made two free throws, Indiana got the ball back when Chris Andersen missed a baseline jumper. But George Hill’s baseline pass to George was off the mark and stolen by James. Allen hit two free throws, forcing Indiana to attempt a 3 to tie. George, leaning forward, got off a difficult attempt from the top of the arc that missed the rim.
BEST OF THE REST: The last time the Pacers lost two in a row was in the first round of the playoffs against Atlanta. … Miami again played without key bench scorer Michael Beasley (hamstring). … Stephenson and Mario Chalmers were the recipients of a double technical midway through the second quarter. … It was Indiana’s first loss of the season in a game in which they led after three quarters.
WHAT WE LEARNED: The Pacers knew a win at Miami could end up being huge — it would give them a 2–0 edge in the season series, which could become key in a tiebreaker for the top Eastern playoff spot. Independent of James, the Heat are who they are. They play small most of the game with only one true big man. But an adjustment by Miami coach Erik Spoelstra — playing Andersen and Bosh together down the stretch and without a point guard on the floor — allowed the Heat to finish the game on a 12-2 run after trailing by seven with 3:21 to play. The Pacers are getting a great test this week facing Miami and the Rockets in back-to-back games. Danny Granger is targeting his return for Friday against Houston.
