Pacers fall apart, Heat take 2-1 lead
TYLER SMITH
ISL Editor
Considering the Miami Heat never lose two games in a row in the playoffs, it was important for the Pacers to win Game 3 and regain control of the Eastern Conference finals. Things looked good early for the team in gold, as the Pacers took a 37-22 lead midway through the second quarter. From that point on, however, it was all Heat. They closed out all four quarters on runs and won by a final score of 99-87 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Five straight road wins: Gone.
Ten straight playoff wins following a loss: Gone.
Thirteen straight games where these teams had exchanged wins: Gone.
This game looked like a vintage Pacers victory for the first 18 minutes of action. Even the bench stepped up and got contributions. The Heat were turning the ball over and struggling to score. After the 37-22 start, the Heat finished the half on a 16-5 run which included six Pacers turnovers.
Miami kept the streak going with a 33-22 advantage in the third quarter. One mini-run for the Pacers in the fourth quarter proved to be not enough, and the Heat pulled away to close out the win.
Ray Allen connected on four 3s, and the combination of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade proved to be too much for the Pacers to handle. With fewer days off for the remainder of this series, it will be interesting to see if Wade will continue to produce at this level. He has certainly looked healthy and on top of his game through these first three games.
On Saturday, the Pacers committed 17 turnovers and shot just 6-of-21 from behind the arc.
Paul George had another poor shooting night (5-of-13) but led the Pacers in scoring with 17. Roy Hibbert scored 16 but only grabbed two rebounds and didn’t have a block. After a big first half, Lance Stephenson was nonexistent in the second.
The Pacers have led on the scoreboard for the majority of this series, yet still trail 2-1. Closing out quarters and games at a championship level is still not something they’ve been able to do.
“It’s very early in the series,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel said. “We’ve got to come out and try to get Game 4.”
Beating Miami two straight times is difficult enough. Beating them in three straight might as well be called impossible. The season likely comes down to Game 4 on Monday night. Regaining home-court advantage, or falling behind an insurmountable hole, will be on the line.
Follow Tyler on Twitter: @sports_tys_20
