All Eyes On Them?
Before this series started Sunday afternoon, many had the Heat winning this series in 5 games or less. During game 1 against Indy, Heat Forward Chris Bosh strained his abdominal muscle and after an MRI results on Monday he was listed to be out indefinitely. In Game 1 LeBron stepped up for Bosh’s absence grabbing 15 points a game. Bosh scored 13 points in 16 minutes before the injury on Roy Hibbert. Now with Bosh out Hibbert has more freedom to guard the paint more to stop LeBron & Wade driving to the hole. Heat played 9 games without their 3rd star Bosh and went 4-5. In the regular season Miami won 3 of the 4 meetings, with the 4th meeting being a back to back for the Heat playing Oklahoma City the previous night. Unlike their first round opponent New York Knicks, The Pacers right now have a healthier and better front-court tandem in David West & Roy Hibbert who can both create for themselves offensively and play defense. Miami’s 12th man, James Jones could also see some play to boost their offense with LeBron moving to the 4. The Heat are still expected to win this series but now their Eastern Conference Finals bid will be delayed a game or two.
(2) Miami Heat vs. (3) Indiana Pacers | Heat lead 1-0
Regular season series (Miami won 3-1)
Game 1: Miami 95, Indiana 86
Game 2: at MIA, Tues. May 15, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3: at IND, Thurs. May 17, TBD, ESPN
Game 4: at IND , Sun. May 20, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 5: at MIA, If Necessary
Game 6: at IND, If Necessary
Game 7: at MIA, If Necessary