Heat Bounce Back, Defeat Pacers 101-93
Sunday, in the biggest game for Miami Heat this season, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade saved their team from facing 3-1 deficit. In an effort to make tweaks to the lineup, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra started Ronny Turiaf and Shane Battier in place for Dexter Pittman and Udonis Haslem, who would help Miami win the game from bench play. In the first quarter, Indiana came out gunning as they jumped to a quick 9-0 run with 4 of the 5 starters scoring. Heat didn’t get their first bucket of the game until four and a half minutes in game time with a LeBron James dunk. Heading into halftime the Pacers had an 8 point lead but Miami came out in the 3rd quarter going on a 25-5 run led by LBL and Wade putting the heat up 10 points with a 76-66 score. The dynamic duo took over 3rd quarter with their signature style Miami Heat ball play out scoring the Pacers alone 28 to 16. By the start of the 4th, Pacers coach Frank Vogel still had his two starting big men on the bench and the big “2” took advantage of this scoring 10 points within the paint to keep Miami’s lead. From the 6 min. mark in the 2nd quarter until the 6 min. mark in the 4th quarter, not a single FG was made by any Miami Heat player not named Wade or LeBron. With half of the 4th quarter already over, Pacers bigs Roy Hibbert & David West entered the game with hopes to erase their deficit and win this game at home. This proceeded with Heat power forward Udonis Haslem going on scoring streak as he hit 4 key jumpers to seal the game for Miami by the 1 minute mark.
League MVP, LeBron James finished the game with a NBA 2K12 stat line of 40 points, 18 boards and 9 dimes; while his co-partner Flash contributed 30 points and 9 boards. Udonis Haslem had a major impact on the game scoring 14 points (5 for 6 shooting and 4 for 4 from the stripe) and 4 rebounds. Danny Granger was the Pacers high man as he scored 20 points while Roy Hibbert had 10 points (only 9 shots attempted) and 9 boards in 32 minutes of play. Darren Collison came off the bench and had major contributions to Pacers scoring 16 points in 20 minutes. With Chris Bosh still injured back Florida, the series now switches back to South Beach for another must win game for Heat Tuesday night.
Game 5 is scheduled this Tuesday on TNT with a tip-off set for 8:00 pm (ET).
Win Or Go Home.
Series Tied 2-2
Game 1: Miami 95, Indiana 86
Game 2: Indiana 78, Miami 75
Game 3: Indiana 94, Miami 75
Game 4: Miami 101, Indiana 93
Game 5: at MIA, Tues. May 22, 8:00 p.m., TNT
Game 6: at IND, Thurs. May 24, 8:00 p.m., ESPN
Game 7: at MIA, If Necessary
Bonus: Juwan Howard confronts Lance Stephenson during early shootarounds