Indy Cornrows

Pacers Vs. Heat, Game 6 Links: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James Put An End To Indiana's Season

2012-05-25T13:00:00Z

The Indiana Pacers' season ended suddenly, as it always does in the playoffs, after losing their third straight game to the Miami Heat, 105-93 on Thursday night. The Pacers certainly didn't help themselves with 20 turnovers but their biggest problem was that they shook the Heat to the core in the first three games of the series and forced LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to take their game, as a pair, to a new level.

And they certainly did that, with both stars averaging 33 points (EACH) in the last three games. They combined to score 139 points in the two games at the Fieldhouse. Two guys!

There isn't much solace in forcing the team that beats you to be better, but if you are going to lose, making that Heat duo play better than they've ever played together is worth noting.

"This series brought out the best in both of them," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They knew they had to play an extremely high level for us to have a chance. They knew."

For Frank Vogel and the Pacers making a deeper playoff run meant running into a challenge his team couldn't contain.

"We had our whole focus on Derrick Rose (in the playoffs) last year and it's like having two of them out there. Only bigger," Vogel said. "It's a big challenge. We did the best we could. We put up a good fight. We gave them a little wake-up call. But ever since Game 3 these guys played at such a high level that I don't know if anybody can beat them."

So after another frustrating playoff series loss, the Pacers head into the offseason with another elite rival in the Eastern Conference. Even better, the playoff run into late May has rejuvenated the NBA spirit of the city and raised the team's profile around town to make people aware of the hard work put in by the players, coaches and front office to make this a team that fans can proudly root for again.

Check out the links after the jump.

Heat 105, Pacers 93: Turnovers End Season as Pacers Fall 4-2; Wade Shines

2012-05-25T04:02:25Z

The Indiana Pacers offseason began earlier than hoped, but later than expected as the blue and gold fell to the Miami Heat tonight 105-93 to lose their best of seven series 4 games to 2. It seems like an eternity ago the Pacers held a 2-1 series lead, but since then, the Heat, who clearly didn't respect the Pacers when the series began, turned it on and showed that two stars, well...at least these two stars, can beat a basketball team.

Respect certainly deserves to go to Dwyane Wade and LeBron James for their play, especially tonight when Wade was just unstoppable, but this shouldn't be a nail on the "team dynamic" coffin. The Pacers played hard and played well this entire series (or at least five of the games), but when Wade and James are in the zone, there isn't much you can do to stop them.

The Pacers, like in the entire series, opened up on a tear, riding their front court and dominating interior play to a 19-8 lead. David West was tremendous, Danny Granger wasn't using his ankle as an excuse, and Roy Hibbert played some of his best ball in the series. While Indiana maintained an onslaught from Wade, the Pacers saw numerous possessions slip away thanks to turnovers, a theme that would dominate the entire night.

Miami took a 10-0 run into the second quarter, fueled by Wade, but aided by Mike Miller, who finally played at a high enough level that he was able to make a big enough difference. The lead disappeared and the Pacers found themselves in a back and forth battle dominated by Wade, who led the Heat with 26 first half points. The Pacers fell behind six in the second before a 10-0 run of their own put them back in control as West and Hill finished the quarter strong.

The good news for the Pacers was that Wade was killing the Pacers, but his play wasn't enough to get the Heat into the lead, but despite dominating the boards, turnovers plagued Indiana all night. While the Heat defense played a part, most of it just came from bone headed decision making. Indiana needed a strong third quarter to keep their season alive, but Wade, James, and Mario Chalmers helped the game remain tight as timely three point shooting kept the Pacers in the game.

The game shifted in the wrong direction with a minute to go in the third quarter when West was whistled for a technical foul on a bad tap on Shane Battier's head. The momentum had swung in Indiana's favor following Paul George's three pointer, but Miami scored three points on their next three possessions (aided by two Indiana turnovers) to put the game into double figures heading into the fourth.

Smart ball was going to be the deciding factor in the Pacers turning the game around. They had little issue scoring on the Heat, but turnovers continued to mount and it didn't change as the fourth opened. Indiana closed the gap to five before giving it right back, putting them in a tough position as Wade simply refused to miss at any point tonight. Every push the Pacers made resulted in a Wade circus shot of some kind, adding frustration to the turnover and poor offensive play.

A late 5 point run gave Indiana one final push for a chance to grab a win, but when you've got closers the caliber of Wade and James who are hitting shots they have no business hitting, it's impossible to mount a comeback of any kind to be honest. The result would be Indiana's third straight loss in the series, ending it in six, a sad conclusion to a great season.

Turnovers played such a big role in tonight's game, lingering at every turn. The Pacers had 22 turnovers, which resulted in 26 Miami points. The Heat won points off turnover 26-13, painful in a contest that wrapped up at 12 points. The team that had won the rebounding edge had won the game, but despite crushing the Heat on the boards all night (even limiting them to just 3 in the first quarter), Indiana's turnovers created far too many opportunities for the Heat.

In the end, a number of solid efforts were cut short due to the mental lapses the Pacers showcased throughout the game. If Larry Bird called his team S-O-F-T soft after Game 5, he wouldn't be out of line to call them D-U-M-B dumb following Game 6. It was just frustrating to watch Indiana be so careless with the ball so often. One thing Indiana didn't learn this postseason was that each possession is much more important than in the regular season.

Another big blow for the Pacers was in their non-existent bench play. Leandro Barbosa was awful, Tyler Hansbrough, Dahntay Jones, and Lou Amundson were invisible, Darren Collison couldn't get a spark to light. When the supposedly deeper Pacers lose the bench point battle to the Miami Heat, they are things that can't be ignored. To reiterate, the Pacers lost to a team that late through the third quarter had only four players even add to the scoreboard, outscored as a bench by Mike Miller alone.

David West was big early and often in tonight's game as he led the Pacers in scoring with 24. Roy Hibbert was fed at stretches, but still only managed to get eight field goal attempts. When the Pacers got the ball into Hibbert, it was obvious the Heat had no answer for him, but Miami continued to rotate and make the pass to Hibbert impossible.

Danny Granger and George Hill each had solid stretches, but neither was able to take over when the team needed a go to to match wits with Wade and James, as they each settled for a number of poor three pointers that resulted in empty possessions that may as well have been turnovers. Paul George played one of his finer games of the series, hitting timely shots, but more importantly, showing growth on the defensive end by not biting on every pump fake and staying on his feet. He was torched by Wade, but the kind of shots Wade was hitting, it's impossible to fault much of it on any defensive shortcomings.

Be proud of your Indiana Pacers. They made tremendous strides this season in restoring relevancy to one of the Eastern Conference's premier franchises. They had a better season than almost any fan expected. Even this offseason looming, there won't be a lockout to weigh down excitement and better yet, Indiana will still have oodles of cap issues to help the kind of strides the Pacers can take moving forward. If the Pacers can retain Larry Bird, hold onto Brian Shaw, and get smart deals done for Roy Hibbert and George Hill, they won't lose a single beat, putting them right back in the thick of things next season, likely as the favorites in the Central Division.

Can it be November yet?

Pacers Vs. Heat, Game 6: Game Time, TV And Radio Info, Game Thread

2012-05-24T23:00:10Z

3-2		2-3
	@
May 24, 2012 - 8:00PM EST
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Radio: 93.1FM WIBC TV: ESPN
Probable starters:
Mario Chalmers	PG	George Hill
Dwyane Wade	SG	Paul George
LeBron James	SF	Danny Granger
Shane Battier	PF	David West
Ronny Turiaf	C	Roy Hibbert

The Indiana Pacers will need to get some home cookin' going tonight in Game 6 against Miami Heat in order to extend their Eastern Conference playoff series to Game 7. The Fieldhouse will be sold out and rockin' so it is up to the men in blue and gold to do what they do best and claw their way back into the series.

The third quarter has been a bellwether throughout the series with the winner of each game asserting themselves after the half. Not sure the Pacers can hold out for a third quarter run tonight, though. They need to be on point for all 48 minutes.

Here is the Pacers.com preview. For a Miami perspective, check out Peninsula Is Mightier. Also, after the game check out Pacers Overtime on WIBC 93.1FM with Eddie White. Also, the whole television crew from Fox Sports Indiana will have post-game show with more analysis and post-game interviews.

Leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments.

SB Nation Video: Breaking Down Suspensions In Pacers Vs. Heat Series

2012-05-24T21:44:09Z

SB Nation's Ben Golliver take an objective look at the Game 5 theatrics that led to the suspensions of Miami Heat forwards Udonis Haslem and Dexter Pittman while also looking at what to expect from Game 6.

TiqIQ Connect Playoff Check-in Contest For Pacers Game 6 Against Heat

2012-05-24T21:33:59Z

Ourr friends from TiqIQ with their new Facebook application called TiqIQ CONNECT continue their playoffs contest tonight. The longer the Pacers stay in the playoffs the more interesting this contest gets for fans.

Using the app, you can now check-in (in advance) to any Pacers playoff game letting your friends know which games you are going to and where you will be sitting... if you're planning on going... or if you're just watching from home you can also update that. TiqIQ Connect even provides a thumbnailed seat view on your wall so friends can find you, or purchase a ticket near you.

RSVP to every Pacers playoff game, you'll be entered to win tickets to the Finals, should they advance.

Just click here to update your RSVP status for the next game- and let your friends know where you're sitting. You'll also receive discounts on tickets throughout the season right to your Facebook inbox.

Never too late to get into Game 6, click here: Game 6 tickets
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Pacers Vs. Heat Injury Update: Danny Granger Goes Through Shootaround, Expects To Start

2012-05-24T17:01:55Z

Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger participated in the team's shootaround on Thursday morning and expect to be in the starting lineup for the Pacers when they face the Miami Heat tonight in Game 6.

Granger's left ankle remains tender and he mentioned after practice that he would sit this game out were it a regular season game. But this is the playoffs and there is nothing regular about the task at hand for the Pacers tonight. Lose and they are done.

Frank Vogel plans to start Granger, but it appears that anything they get out of him will be a bonus tonight, so Vogel better make sure that alternate game plan is handy at all times.

Here is a twitvid from @Pacers showing Granger after practice.

Danny Granger stays after shootaround to test out his ankle.twitvid.com/YN9LU
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 24, 2012

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Pacers Vs. Heat, Game 6 Links: Indiana Trying To Find A Way Back To Miami

2012-05-24T12:00:00Z

The Indiana Pacers are down to their last out in Game 6 tonight at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, as they try to find a way to slow down the Miami Heat and earn another trip to South Beach for Game 7.

Miami has had a firm grasp on this series since late in the second quarter of Game 4, finding a way to muck up the Pacers offense to the point where they simply weren't able to execute in Game 5. Making matters worse for the Pacers is the ankle injury for leading scorer, Danny Granger. It sounds like Granger will be on the court tonight but won't be able to go full throttle.

That's a problem, since all of the Pacers have to go full throttle tonight (and making an open shot or two wouldn't hurt either). No doubt the short-handed Heat will try to impose their will early, but there aren't any secrets between these teams any more. If the Pacers can win the rebounding battle and minimize Miami's transition damage, then they will be in position to win. Do that and add a heavy dose of post presence from Roy Hibbert and David West and the Pacers will indeed be headed back to South Beach for Game 7.

Time to get loud.

Check out the links after the jump.

Pacers Vs. Heat Injury Update: Granger Doesn't Practice, Plans To Play, West Ready To Play

2012-05-24T03:09:21Z

The Indiana Pacers caught a break when the Miami Heat depth took a hit with the suspension of forward Udonis Haslem. But that won't really matter if Danny Granger can't give the Pacers a strong effort on his sprained ankle.

Granger did not practice with the team on Wednesday while still dealing with the painful ankle. Granger is ready to give it a go in Game 6, though.

"In my mind, I'm going to play," Granger said. "Elimination game, I have to play."

While I appreciate the attitude, Granger had problems keeping up with LeBron James when his ankle was 100%. It will be tough to just squeeze some offense out of Granger if the ankle remains a bother. No double James and Dwyane Wade will be pushing the ball at Granger to see if that ankle holds up.

In better injury news, David West proclaimed himself fit with no knee problems, dismissing any reports that he sprained his knee in the second half on Tuesday. Just a little tweak that turned out to be nothing. Like Granger, West needs to bounce back and deliver a big performance for the Pacers to extend the series to Game 7.

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