NBA Eastern Conference Finals 2014 Preview | Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

“I think Wade’s knee is messed up, and I want it to flare up again”. (c) Lance Stephenson

Now that the JV’s are all out of the way, the real NBA action begins today with game 1 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. This is a repeat meeting between the two, in which their last series went 7 games, seeing the Miami Heat blow the Indiana Pacers in route to their second consecutive NBA title. While Miami has publicly acknowledged their dislike for the Brooklyn Nets, they’ve down-played a potential rivalry against the Pacers after never losing to them in a post-season series. The young fierce group from Indiana is ready to take their team to the next step, starting with hopes of finally advancing to the NBA Finals.

Hit the jump for more of the outlook into the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals.

UPDATE: Pacers defeat Heat 107-96 | Lead series 1-0

This marks the first time in 23 years the two finalists for the Eastern Conference meet up consecutive years, last seen with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls in 1990-91. Throughout the duration of the NBA season, Indiana had one goal and that was to obtain the number seed for home-court advantage against the Mimai Heat. Their path to the achievement wasn’t easy, as the team faced struggles heading into the playoffs on a losing streak.

A lengthy opening round series against both the Atlanta Hawks going the distance and last week with the Washington Wizards ending in 6 didn’t help either. The Pacers inconsistency will not be something they can have dealing with their opponents for the next two weeks if they want to advance. Roy Hibbert and even their star in the making Paul George have struggled with inconsistency during the playoffs (sorry, clearing up stats in garbage time doesn’t count).

The big advantage they do have this series is their front court of Hibbert and their most consistent player in the post-season David West. Miami will have to look to Shane Battier, Chris Andersen, and Udonis Haslem who’ve had limited minutes in the first two series against the Charlotte Bobcats and Brooklyn. Both teams benches essentially match-up with point production, but the main story of this series will be whether Dwyane Wade can remain healthy and the amount of point assistance LeBron James will receive from his teammates.

Wade left late in their 3rd meeting of the season re-aggravating a strained hamstring, which led to the Pacers pulling of a close victory at home; but would lose the following week in South Beach with Dwyane missing in action. The team has properly given Wade rest over the last 2 months to have him ready for the conference finals. Over the last two years, the both teams have split their 14 head-to-head meetings, which will finally be decided in the next few days on who truly is the better team. Throughout the post-season and essentially the entire year, Bron has had the task of leading his team in points, assist, rebounds and steals.

One person carrying this much burden on their shoulders may be too much, which we’ll find out whether the king will be fatigued in his toughest series to date as a captain of the Heat. The Pacers have the tools to defeat Miami in the series on paper, but have shown series inconsistency like previously mentioned. Whether Indiana can come together at their biggest outing against the only opponent they remain intrigued to play serious remains to be seen, but we can guarantee you a close minimal 6 game series in comparison to West.

Win or GO HOME!