Pacers/Heat Preview
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
It’s been a long time since anything has felt normal in this crazy world. Starting the NBA playoffs in a bubble in August doesn’t help that cause. But there’s something about a Pacers and Heat series that feels right. It’s not the Paul George and LeBron James battles of old, but it’s the TJ Warren and Jimmy Butler battle that fans have wanted since January.
If you ask the “experts”, the Miami Heat are heavily favored. I have seen two separate lists, totaling the choices of 26 people, and every one of them picked the Heat in this series. I don’t disagree with the Heat being favored, but it’s a little shocking, (and a slap in the face to the Pacers), to see unanimous votes against the team that is the higher seed. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it in a 4/5 match-up.
Miami has the leg-up on coaching. Coach Spoelstra is 71-47 all-time in the playoffs, while Pacers Coach Nate McMillan is just 17-32. The Pacers are also expected to be without their All-Star Domantas Sabonis, which is another reason the Heat are understandably favored.
Aside from those challenges, it would be a mistake to write-off the Pacers in the series. They tend to play their best basketball when they’re doubted. You know TJ Warren will be on a mission in his first ever playoff appearance. Malcolm Brogdon is confident that Indy can win. And though the Miami Heat have multiple shooters, Doug McDermott and Justin Holiday have found their shot in the last few games- a big development for the Pacers’ chances.
Ultimately, the playoffs are about adjustments. There are so many factors to watch for, and they will change with each passing game. If history repeats itself, Pacer fans can expect an impressive Game 1 victory, or a crushing defeat that features a blown lead late in the game. (The flashbacks are too real.) But even with home-court advantage being off the table, the Pacers desperately need to win one of the first two games to have a chance.
Here’s what Coach McMillan, Victor Oladipo, and Myles Turner had to say in their media availability on Monday:
McMillan- “Their style of play hasn’t changed even though some of their faces have. They’ve added more athleticism. For us, without Domas, we are going with somewhat a different style of play. This is what teams have to do all season long. Injuries are part of the game.”
-“This is what we came back for. Our guys should be ready to go. It’s time to play for real. Tomorrow night, it starts.”
Victor Oladipo- “I know I’m not 100% yet, but I feel good. I’m just going to go out there and compete, and do what I can to help my team win.”
-“I talked to him (Sabonis) a few times. He’s got to take care of his body. It’s about longevity. We obviously miss and need him. He’s rooting for us. We’ve got to go out there and take care of business for him.”
“They (Miami) did a great job against us in the regular season. We understand that. But we’re prepared for this battle, a 7 game series. We’re going to compete at a high level, and we’re excited for the challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing how far we can go.”
Myles Turner– “Rebounding is a team effort, but I’ve got to assert myself down low and secure the ball.”
-“We’re definitely pumped. It’s something we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Guys are excited and ready to go.”
Official prediction: Heat in 7. The Pacers will give them a good series, but without Sabonis, will fall just short once again in the 1st-round.
We will be going live on Twitter many times during this series, and we will be joined by several Pacer insiders. The first time we will be going live is at 2:30 PM ET on Tuesday, right before Game 1 takes place at 4 PM. Join us online, bring your questions, and we may include some fans in our live video sessions.
Thank you for this, still feel we can pull something off. No home court advantage for either side, it comes down go talent and with goga and sumner and many other unseen players in our rotation. I think we’ll edge it