Indiana Pacers Beat Miami Heat 78-75
Where do I even start to recap this game? It was a roller coaster ride throughout and one that ended on a great note for the Pacers. Each quarter felt like it’s own story, but the Pacers wrote the conclusion. This is going to be a series, which is something I’ve predicted, and not sure why more people weren’t willing to give the Pacers a chance in this one.
Starting out the game, the Pacers were getting out and being aggressive, especially with dumping the ball to Roy Hibbert, who scored two early baskets. But Miami did come back, which would be something that happened a couple of times in this one. They end the quarter with the lead 21-17.
That second quarter was just awful for the Pacers as they went ice cold, even as Coach Frank Vogel was stating “we’ve only missed a couple of shots” If by a couple, he meant 2-20 or something along those lines. It was like a drought in the summer time where you’re just waiting for that rain to drop. Miami’s defense did step up over that stretch and really gave the Pacers problem. Still, the Pacers were only down 38-33, in what felt like a twenty point deficit.
Things turned around immensely in that third quarter as the Pacers have been known to do. They put together all the stops needed to build up a lead of double figures, which was the first double figures lead of the series. They doubled up the Heat in that quarter 28-14 as they had the lead going into the final quarter.
Some things got chippy in this final round, which is the perfect way to describe this game that felt like a wrestling match. Who was going to climb out of the cage and cash in on the prize? Danny Granger got tangled up with Lebron James, who looked to throw an elbow. Dwayne Wade puts a flagrant foul on Darren Collison. David West gets his arms tangled up after a made basket. It was the physical play that almost suited the Pacers more so than the Heat.
The Heat came out firing with James and Wade as they put together 21 out of 24 points for the Heat. The teams battled back and forth as each built up the one point lead over those precious last minutes.
Now let’s move to the free throw shooting contest, or should we say lack of free throw shooting. Both teams missed free throws that could have assisted either team in building a lead. George Hill makes one of two with about 30some seconds left. The Heat look for a three at the end with a look from Mario Chalmers, not exactly the play you draw up if you have James and Wade on your team.
But the Pacers will take the win, and now head back for a day off tomorrow before battling it out Thursday. Fans need to come out and support this team as my twitter feed was blowing up with #Pacers comments. This was the type of win needed to show the fans that hadn’t been around that they can come back and embrace this team. It’s only one win, but that means three more to go.