The buzz around professional basketball in Indiana is certainly back. When the Pacers and Knicks made it past the Hawks and Celtics respectively in the NBA’s First Round, the excitement rose to a fever pitch as the two teams revived a rivalry from the 90s. Now after a six game triumph over New York, the Pacers have a whole new level of challenge.
Indiana, in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2004, embarks on a seemingly impossible task tonight at 8:30 on TNT at AmericanAirlines Arena.
While no one in the national media is giving the Pacers a shot, Hoosier natives and Heat haters are quick to point out this: the Pacers went 2-1 versus Miami this season and dominated inside. Post play will, of course, be the biggest advantage for the Pacers, as in three matchups this season (two at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, one in Miami) Frank Vogel’s squad outrebounded the Heat 122-89.
Likewise, Roy Hibbert was fantastic against Tyson Chandler and the Knicks. The 7’2” center capped off the series with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and five huge blocks. In the wins for the Pacers in the regular season, Chris Bosh had a very pedestrian 13.5 points per game. David West also presents matchup problems for Miami and has been fantastic against the Heat, shooting a combined 25-38 including over 22 points per contest.
Also, Paul George has proven to be a good matchup for LeBron James. The lanky 6’10’’ forward showed no signs of backing down in last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals and this season, the all-star held LeBron to a season low 13 points in the lone Heat win. Lance Stephenson has matured over his career and played one of his best games ever in game six against New York (25 points, 10 rebounds). Stephenson will be given the matchup of an ailing Dwayne Wade and has an opportunity to continue to shine.
The Pacers have also not lost at home in the playoffs and have proven that they can win in tough environments on the road.
All that sounds nice to Pacers fans, right?
Well, think about this for a second. Since losing at Indiana February 1st, Eric Spoelstra’s team has lost three games. February, March, April, and most of May, and the Heat have lost THREE times. While LeBron did have a season low 13 versus Indiana in the March 10th 105-91 Heat win, his teammate Mario Chalmers had 26 points, Chris Bosh had 24 and Wade had 23. In that same game, Paul George went 2-11 and Stephenson made only one of five field goal tries.
Yes, the Pacers have a strong starting five. All five players are solid offensive and defensive weapons, but what does the Pacers bench consist of? Not enough weapons, that’s for sure. Ok, D.J. Augustin has played well (10-19 from three vs. NY). You know who else has played well? Miami’s back up point guard as well. Norris Cole went 9-11 from three against the Bulls and had two 18-point games. Is Sam Young really a guy who is better than Shane Battier? The bench is a glaring advantage for the Heat, which will only exacerbate the Pacers’ lack of superstar talent. Ray Allen, James Jones, Cole, Battier, Mike Miller, and Rashard Lewis all shoot extremely well, and those guys will likely get open looks if James or Wade is on the floor.
As an Indiana guy, I hope the Pacers do well as much as the next guy. I’m not a diehard Pacers fan, but I definitely root for the Blue and Gold, but we have to be realistic here. The Pacers will be able to compete and could definitely steal one in Miami. They have been playing very well at home, and with their physicality; they have proven to be the second best team in the east. George and Stephenson are both comparable in size to LeBron and Wade. West and Hibbert create mismatches for a Miami team that is not as physical in the post. They are just not good enough, though.
In the 90’s Reggie Miller days, it was always the Bulls and if the Bulls weren’t a contender, it was the Knicks (94, 95, 99). When the Pacers finally broke through to the Finals in 2000, the Lakers with Kobe and Shaq awaited and won their first of three in a row. In ’03 and ’04, the Pistons were just too balanced and physical for the dominant regular season team. Now, the Heat become the thorns in the sides of the Pacers. Last year there was a glimmer of hope before LeBron and Wade woke up and dominated.
The national “experts” have been saying Heat in six, and that makes sense, but if the series went five or if it went seven wouldn’t surprise me.
Rumblings of Rural Sports Fans 