ECF: #1 Indiana Pacers vs #2 Miami Heat playoff series thread

[Venti Quattro]

Miami in 6 games.

Pls sticky this Kori Ellis, timvp or Slomo tbh

[Robz4000]

Miami in 7

[TIMMYtoZO]

Miami in 6. They'll coast a little more in this series, but not like last year.

[Franklin]

Given the Pacers' shitty form I think the Heat will close it out in no more than 6 games. Pacers got some good bigs but defense by itself can't win you games against elite teams imho, like you can never kill a horse with a shield.

[Strange Love]

Nets took one from them, has the chance to extend it to a 6 game but choked it. Indy should push them to 7.

[jeebus]

http://i.imgur.com/8GImsSX.gif

[baseline bum]

Heat in 5

[jeebus]

Indy in 4.

[Kawhi]

Bucks in 6

[Jacob1983]

Indiana State in 5

[LarryDavid]

Heat in 3

[rogues]

We will dismiss that cute little team from the playoffs in five games..

[DAF86]

Miami in 6. They'll coast a little more in this series, but not like last year.

For future reference. Is there any scenario where the Heat losses a game and it isn't because of coasting?

[Splits]

For future reference. Is there any scenario where the Heat losses a game and it isn't because of coasting?

No.

Heat lose: coasting
Heat win: most dominant team since 96 Bulls

[dg7md]

It's impossible to tell which Pacer team will show up, they are bipolar in their game. This will either be a 4 game series or a 7 game series in favor of the Heat.

The Pacers can win if Hibbert shows up each game, and homecourt will be a big factor in this series. It's really hard to predict this series without seeing them play in Game 1 yet.

[StrengthAndHonor]

^ Yeah, this is impossible to predict. Indiana plays better when their backs are against the wall. HCA doesn't really help them since they actually have a better road record in the playoffs (5-1) Realistically, it's Miami's series to lose but "IF" Big Roy, Lance and PG shows shades of consistency, I have the Pacers advancing in the Finals.

[smaka]

Spurs in 6

[ElNono]

Bosh has been huge for Miami in the last couple of series, tbh... it will be interesting to see if Indy can check him... when he's hitting from outside, he helps Miami a lot...

[~O~]

Depends on Bosh/Wade

[ezau]

Indiana has all the motivation in the world to play their best against Miami. Indy in 7.

[Thebesteva]

http://i.imgur.com/8GImsSX.gif

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130306110059/video-game-championship-wrestling/images/9/94/Daniel_Bryan_YES.gif

[Thebesteva]

Depends on Bosh/Wade

It doesnt matter what u think

[BatManu20]

You guys are giving Indy too much credit saying Miami in 6. It'll be Miami in 5, tops imo. This Indy team is not good. Hibbert is suddenly the worst contract in the NBA and they get almost nothing from the PG position. Miami makes light work of the Pacers imo.

[100%duncan]

Heat in 6

[TDMVPDPOY]

i got the pacers actually coming out this series

[BillMc]

I'm going for the upset, Pacers in 7.

This will result in the ratings bonanza of a Pacers-Spurs finals.:lol

[urunobili]

Heat in 6

[D-Wade]

The extent to which Indiana has been given the benefit of the doubt, despite stinking it up against a sub 500 Hawks team and an inexperienced Wizards team is unprecedented and can only be attributed to Heat-hate.

Hibbert was smiling like kid after one decent game, when he was posting 0-0 and 5 fouls for the better part of the series.

Lance is doing Lance things and Paul George isn't in the class of James or KD.

David West is the only dude doing things.

This is the team that's gonna take down the Heat? :lmao

[Raven]

heat in 4.

[Clipper Nation]

Heat in 5.... Miami will blatantly coast one game, causing the haters to get their hopes up, but will close this shit out quickly....

[RsxPiimp]

man, that post game speech from coach vogel gave me goose bumps, they are ready to rock and roll, you can sense unity again in that locker room. i hope miami wins since i want to see lebron and durant again but can't deny indiana is taking this series

[TIMMYtoZO]

Pacers won't win this series due to the simple fact that they don't score enough points. You won't beat Miami by grinding it out. Even Dallas was barley hanging on in 2011 with that style the first 4 games. Things changed when the Mavs started hitting their open shots in game 5. Dallas was able to limit Miami and then score on them after that. You have to do both and do them well throughout the game/series. Indiana lacks that.

[Arcadian]

Miami should fucking sweep the Pacers, no questions asked. Anything less would be disappointing. Then again, they aren't as good as the last 2 years, so who knows.

[ElNono]

http://i57.tinypic.com/2a9efig.png

[Mugen]

It seems to me that Indy has pretty much geared their entire season to be right where they currently are tbh. They're such a weird team to predict and have looked very shaky the first two rounds but I don't think a lack of focus/intensity will be an issue for them when they play Miami.

Miami should undoubtedly be the favorites but I think it's gonna be a closer series than people are predicting. My head says Miami in 6 but I wouldn't be surprised if it was Pacers in 7.

[Budkin]

The Pacers are salty enough to push it to 6 but that's it.

[CitizenDwayne]

So which Pacer will implode first?

[~O~]

If Indiana are absolutely serious about getting over the Heat this year, its all about game 1 and 2. If they don't win both games at home they're done. Remember, they have home-court advantage.

[jimbo]

For future reference. Is there any scenario where the Heat losses a game and it isn't because of coasting?

Not until they actually lose a series imo. You coulda even said they were coasting until 28 seconds left of game 6 tbh

[hyhy]

How does a team that averaged less than 92 points this postseason even compete with the Heat?

[313]

The Pacers are so bad, it's a testament to how bad the east is that they're in the ecf

[Jacob1983]

A lot of people are going to shit on ESPN if Indy pulls off the upset.

[daslicer]

I have said earlier that Indiana is a team you have to step on and not given them any chance of hope. The Hawks failed to do that in the first round when they lost game 4 and 6. The Wizards did the same when they dropped both home games. Miami has to go up 3-1 on the Pacers to put the death grip on them. If this series is tied 2-2 the Pacers will win. Their resiliency reminds me a lot like the '04 Pistons.

[AchillesHeel]

This series could honestly go either way. It all depends on how well Hibbert and George perform on the offensive end. If they do what they did last year in the ECF, Indy could pull it out in 7. They have the perfect front court with Hibbert-West-George. If those 3 give you 15-20 points a game each, they SHOULD prevail, but something tells me that George will be underwhelming and Hibbert will have at least 2 games where he's a total non-factor. Heat in 6.

[Splits]

With all 17 ESPN "experts" picking the Heat, Pacers actually have a chance.

[z0sa]

No clue about this one. I dont think anyone can really be too sure how the series will transpire.

[TVI]

It seems to me that Indy has pretty much geared their entire season to be right where they currently are tbh. They're such a weird team to predict and have looked very shaky the first two rounds but I don't think a lack of focus/intensity will be an issue for them when they play Miami.

Miami should undoubtedly be the favorites but I think it's gonna be a closer series than people are predicting. My head says Miami in 6 but I wouldn't be surprised if it was Pacers in 7.
At the start of the season I thought Indy finally put together a team that could take the whole thing. However, after their mid-year implosion, I don't know what to expect from those guys. Hibbert is so up-and-down these days that I never know who's going to show up. Bird must be pulling his hair out.

[baseline bum]

For the 8 people who picked Indiana, how do you see them winning the series? Does LeBron have unprotected sex with Magic and contract the AIDS? Does a hurricane wipe out Miami and all 7 games have to be played in Indiana? Do Wade and LeBron have a Wesley and Phills car race outside the practice facility? Does RC trade Kawhi back to them mid-series?

[D-Wade]

Lance Stephenson on his strategy against Dwyane Wade (https://www.facebook.com/dwyanewade): "I think his knee is kind of messed up so I got to be extra aggressive and make him run… make his knee flare up." :wakeup

[Spur-Addict]

Lance Stephenson on his strategy against Dwyane Wade (https://www.facebook.com/dwyanewade): "I think his knee is kind of messed up so I got to be extra aggressive and make him run… make his knee flare up." :wakeup

I thought you were bullshitting but it's true :rollin Brooooooooklyn

[dg7md]

Hibbert and Stephenson are the keys to the series for Indiana, because if Hibbert averages what he did in the regular season that will be a lot for Miami to deal with.

As for Stephenson, he's a rare example of a player that will win or lose series on his own (much like Manu), so if he heroballs too much and is off it'll be too much for the Pacers to handle even with Hibbert dominating. However, if he goes off and makes those shots Miami could be in deep trouble.

[xtremesteven33]

Indiana was designed to defeat the Heat only. Im excited as hell for this series. Should be epic.

[smaka]

I actually have Indy winning game 1. We'll see, looking forward to this early game.

[baseline bum]

Indiana was designed to defeat the Heat only. Im excited as hell for this series. Should be epic.

Why you have a guy who no soy creyente in your avatar? You think his 8 turnovers in 6 were punishment from an angry god?

[Muser]

Heat in 5

[ambchang]

Pacers in 7. Matchups.

[RsxPiimp]

http://youtu.be/zJ-B0kTgxjU

Don't care much about the Finals regardless of who makes it there but I hope this series doesn't disappoint. It needs to go a full 7 game.

[TheyCallMePro]

I hate Indiana's offense. They just stand there! Watch. There will be no ball movement. Tons of jump shots and dribbling. Seriously, David West mid-range jumper is their most effective offensive play. It's pathetic.

I'll give them ONE game in this series. That's it. They're a bad team. They wouldn't have even made the playoffs if they played 2/3 of their schedule vs West teams. It's a shame that they're 1 of the 4 last teams in the playoffs. They've GOT to change this setup.

[TIMMYtoZO]

http://i57.tinypic.com/2a9efig.png

:lol Sup Calvin? Where the fuck are you at, tbh? We are at Vanessa's already prepping for the game.

[TIMMYtoZO]

http://youtu.be/zJ-B0kTgxjU

Don't care much about the Finals regardless of who makes it there but I hope this series doesn't disappoint. It needs to go a full 7 game.

:lol I thought you were 100% confident that Indiana was going to take down Miami? I see some doubt starting to creep in now that the game is getting closer to starting.

[StrengthAndHonor]

Heat in 6. Time to accept the fact it's a Heat Dynasty and there's no one stopping them from 3 Peating.

[BatManu20]

468105535381049344

[BatManu20]

Heat in 5. The Pacers have looked anything but inspiring this postseason. They win Game 2 at home, Miami wins the next 3.

[baseline bum]

Bet Miami just blows them out from the beginning today. Indiana ain't ready for this.

[Spur-Addict]

:lmao Jackson

[baseline bum]

Damn I hate hearing Mark Jackson's retarded voice ruining the best national play by play crew I have ever seen.

[benefactor]

It's going to be hilarious if the Pacers suddenly flip the switch in this series.

[Clipper Nation]

Indiana was designed to defeat the Heat only.

So was Brooklyn, and we saw how that worked out for them in the playoffs....

[baseline bum]

So was Brooklyn, and we saw how that worked out for them in the playoffs....

I don't think Brooklyn was designed to be anything but expensive.

[jeebus]

Wade's gonna have to carry the team again if this team is gonna beat the Pacers

[resistanze]

Hibbert runs like a retarded baby

[jeebus]

So was Brooklyn, and we saw how that worked out for them in the playoffs....
That faggot team was first round fodder. It was a Jew miracle that they squeaked by Toronto.

[baseline bum]

Why is Hibbert posting 15 feet out?

[baseline bum]

Grown man move. Finish your drink niggas

[jeebus]

Hibbert runs like a retarded baby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrxTxVMnfkI

[Mugen]

"grown man move" smh

[D-Wade]

Phantom foul#1 for Hibbert

[jeebus]

Leturnover

[smaka]

It's going to be hilarious if the Pacers suddenly flip the switch in this series.

Let's go Pacers tbh

[resistanze]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrxTxVMnfkI

:rollin

[Mugen]

why didn't Haslem start?

[lil_penny]

Is this really mark jackson or a soundboard version of him :lol

[jeebus]

Has Chalmers always been a fat fuck? Nigga's got a C cup goin on.

[rogues]

:lmao Cute little team blowing their load early

[DPG21920]

I don't think MIA should overreact to this start. They went small like I thought they would, and I still think it's a good strategy overall. But INDY is sharp and MIA is not. A couple of lazy passes by MIA leading to TOs; if they clean that up they should be good.

[Raven]

indiana looking good so far.

[baseline bum]

No Mark Jackson 20 second monologue on cut to commercial?

[D-Wade]

I don't think MIA should overreact to this start. They went small like I thought they would, and I still think it's a good strategy overall. But INDY is sharp and MIA is not. A couple of lazy passes by MIA leading to TOs; if they clean that up they should be good.

Yep. Plus they're playing Battier who hasn't been in the lineup in 5 years.

[resistanze]

The thought of a hobbled OKC then possibly Indy in the Finals...best way to close championship window for Spurs, tbh

[TIMMYtoZO]

Not a terrible start. Only down 7. Indiana won't keep going like this all game. Miami will adjust.

[DPG21920]

why didn't Haslem start?

Because they don't respect Hibbert and rightfully so based on this playoff. They are trying to do what ATL did and really space the floor to negate Hibbert knowing he can't defend on the perimeter. However, ATL had a bigger option (Antic) who spaced the floor so it worked well. I do think it's a good strategy.

[baseline bum]

The thought of a hobbled OKC then possibly Indy in the Finals...best way to close championship window for Spurs, tbh

You can't seriously believe Indiana can win a third game, much less a fourth in this series. :lol

[Nathan89]

why didn't Haslem start?

Better floor spacing imho

[DPG21920]

You can't seriously believe Indiana can win a third game, much less a fourth in this series. :lol

MIA is not some consistently dominant team. No one in the NBA is. All these teams if they play well can beat each other. INDY, despite the free fall, can be a damn good team. Getting this game one win would be massive for them. Just like Mavs v Spurs, INDY loves playing MIA.

[baseline bum]

Miami is just rusty.

[baseline bum]

There's the Pacer team we all know and love

[BatManu20]

Pacers are just shooting at a high percentage right now. Once that comes down, they're finished tbh.

[DPG21920]

INDY are getting good looks from 3, but they normally don't shoot them that well. If they hit 3's, they are really tough to beat obviously..

[Chinook]

Because they don't respect Hibbert and rightfully so based on this playoff. They are trying to do what ATL did and really space the floor to negate Hibbert knowing he can't defend on the perimeter. However, ATL had a bigger option (Antic) who spaced the floor so it worked well. I do think it's a good strategy.
Antic is a stretch-five, so he could guard Hibbert and space him. Then, they had a legitimate four in Millsap who needed to be accounted for. The Heat are only playing with one big, so even if they guard/space Hibbert, they have no one to match up with West.

[Mugen]

Bron's upper body strength is ridiculous tbh. David West barely phased him....

[resistanze]

MIA is not some consistently dominant team. No one in the NBA is. All these teams if they play well can beat each other. INDY, despite the free fall, can be a damn good team. Getting this game one win would be massive for them. Just like Mavs v Spurs, INDY loves playing MIA.

Agreed. You're talking about a team that's trying to get the their 4th consecutive finals tbh. James and Wade were in the summer Olympics too. They've looked vulnerable all year - if they win the title I'd be supremely impressed.

[HI-FI]

wtf, they couldn't even wait til next season for Mark Jackson to return. :bang:bang:bang:bang

[baseline bum]

LOL Scola

[DPG21920]

Antic is a stretch-five, so he could guard Hibbert and space him. Then, they had a legitimate four in Millsap who needed to be accounted for. The Heat are only playing with one big, so even if they guard/space Hibbert, they have no one to match up with West.

That's what I said, I think..I said it's the same strategy, but ATL had Antic instead of having to play another small to space the floor with Millsap.

[D-Wade]

Indy isn't winning because they're doing the things they're good at. Hill is just making fluke 3s. If Hibbert and West were dominating, then that might mean something.

[Muser]

George Hill damn

[BatManu20]

Scola with the James Harden "hurry up and score so we can get the ball back on offense" defense

[baseline bum]

Jackson sounds almost as uncomfortable calling this game as we do listening to his stupid ass

[DPG21920]

But Bosh on Hibbert and Lebron on West is not a bad option at all IMO. Then you have Mario on Hill (fine), Battier on George (dicey, but might be enough) & Wade on Lance.

Then you can go bigger for stretches and bring in other options (Ray/Lewis..)

[baseline bum]

Agreed. You're talking about a team that's trying to get the their 4th consecutive finals tbh. James and Wade were in the summer Olympics too. They've looked vulnerable all year - if they win the title I'd be supremely impressed.

But they're playing a fucking garbage team. This would be a great point against the Spurs or OKC, but not against these Indiana faggots.

[IrisHockey]

great speech by the King

[resistanze]

LeBron's pre-game speeches :lmao

[jeebus]

:lol sounded like someone with a 3rd grade reading level was talking

[baseline bum]

Don't worry about Game 2. Don't worry about Oklahoma.

???

[resistanze]

But they're playing a fucking garbage team. This would be a great point against the Spurs or OKC, but not against these Indiana faggots.

A garbage team that gets hard when it sees Miami tbh.

Now I chose the Heat to win the series but Pacers definitely have a chance.

[AchillesHeel]

Lebron's a horrible leader, at least his speeches suck dick

[DPG21920]

But they're playing a fucking garbage team. This would be a great point against the Spurs or OKC, but not against these Indiana faggots.

IMO - you are sorely underestimating INDY. They are a flawed team offensively, but so is MIA. INDY took a better MIA team to game 7 last year. INDY went through an epically bad stretch, but don't fool yourself into thinking they will role over and don't match up pretty well with MIA overall. I fully expect MIA to win, but INDY is a good team when playing well.

[Clipper Nation]

Kang inspiring his team :worthy:

[BatManu20]

:lol that call on Paul George is horrendous tbh

[Raven]

Pacers are just shooting at a high percentage right now. Once that comes down, they're finished tbh.

they are not rushing their shots, no reason not to keep doing that.

[AchillesHeel]

Don't be fooled by the 1st quarter - Pacers fluked some threes and James had a couple of stupid turnovers, Heat will get it going and Pacers will go cold on O...just a matter of time.

[jeebus]

Hibbert's post moves are awful

[Chinook]

That's what I said, I think..I said it's the same strategy, but ATL had Antic instead of having to play another small to space the floor with Millsap.

I know and agree. But it's not just about size. Millsap is a legitimate scorer at the four, whereas Battier isn't. They have Bosh playing the Antic role when he should be playing the Millsap role. Right now, they're giving West too much of a break on defense. Perhaps Beasley would be a better choice.

[DPG21920]

JVG was correct IMO. Watson will have to play decent minutes this series.

[Clipper Nation]

Hibbert's awful

Could have just left it at that :lol

[BatManu20]

Hibbert has become so bad. His contract is suddenly right up there with Boozer as the worst in basketball tbh

[jeebus]

Could have just left it at that :lol
But he's good at blaming his teammates

[DPG21920]

I know and agree. But it's not just about size. Millsap is a legitimate scorer at the four, whereas Battier isn't. They have Bosh playing the Antic role when he should be playing the Millsap role. Right now, they're giving West too much of a break on defense. Perhaps Beasley would be a better choice.

Ya - it's not as ideal as having Antic/Millsap, but I still think it's the right strategy because you don't have to worry about Hibbert killing you consistently on offense.

[smaka]

Damn Charmels really became a fat fuck.

[LakerHater]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:10950599

[Mugen]

:lol Wasn't Chalmers skinny to start the season? How much do you have to eat to play an 82 game reg season and get fatter tbh....

[Nathan89]

Scola needs to step his game up.

[AchillesHeel]

Scola looking like Blake Griffin on the break :lol

[StrengthAndHonor]

Pacers just looks like a championship team when Hibbert is playing like an All Star

[Muser]

God damn Indiana can't miss from 3

[BatManu20]

:lol Pacers bench just isn't any good. Giving up a big lead in moments

[RD2191]

:lolrefs

[IrisHockey]

Three heating up

[Mugen]

I hate Mark Jackson.

[DPG21920]

:lol Running the offense through Lance has resulted in two turnovers and almost a third.

[Muser]

Mahinmi is fucking awful

[StrengthAndHonor]

Stephenson

[jeebus]

:lol Wasn't Chalmers skinny to start the season? How much do you have to eat to play an 82 game reg season and get fatter tbh....
http://i.imgur.com/LJRYzcG.jpg

Can't resist it tbh

[Mugen]

http://i.imgur.com/LJRYzcG.jpg

Can't resist it tbh

Hand down, double down tbh.

[LakerHater]

http://i58.tinypic.com/do8129.jpg

[baseline bum]

IMO - you are sorely underestimating INDY. They are a flawed team offensively, but so is MIA. INDY took a better MIA team to game 7 last year. INDY went through an epically bad stretch, but don't fool yourself into thinking they will role over and don't match up pretty well with MIA overall. I fully expect MIA to win, but INDY is a good team when playing well.

I don't think last year's Heat was better than this year's team. Sure they lost Miller, but Wade is way healthier right now.

[StrengthAndHonor]

God damn Indiana can't miss from 3
Which is fun but they're not going to shoot nowhere this rate in a series.

[TIMMYtoZO]

Indiana is starting to slow down. Miami has to keep at it. They can get this game under control pretty quickly.

[DPG21920]

I don't think last year's Heat was better than this year's team. Sure they lost Miller, but Wade is way healthier right now.

Wade is playing better and they did a good job of finding him rest, but I don't think a lot of the role players are playing as well as last year. We will see if a better Wade negates the dip from a few of the others. Very well could and MIA wins their 3rd in a row.

[smaka]

Lmao Hibbert, exercising like an old lady while watching tv.

[D-Wade]

Stephenson getting shat on :lol

[baseline bum]

Indy is playing their best game in months and only up 4.

[baseline bum]

Why no 3 second call on Pedo?

[DPG21920]

Lance thinks the NBA is a playground.

[jag]

Lance, det one man show

[BatManu20]

Vogel resting his starters for a while now. Must be planning on playing them almost the entire second half

[MeloHype]

Indy is playing their best game in months and only up 4.
Their best game in the playoffs was game 3 vs Washington

[jag]

Lance going full Kobe. This will end well

[TIMMYtoZO]

Indy is playing lights out on offense and only have a 6 point lead. Miami is in excellent shape, tbh.

[Baam]

Stephenson is making this series 100x more interesting than it should be tbh... Love that crazy mofo.

[DPG21920]

INDY is getting good looks though. I know they are not a great 3PT shooting team, but a lot of them are open looks off of ball movement. If INDY gets solid production from their bench, that is massive. With the smaller lineup and the attention Bosh/Bron are paying to the bigs, the perimeter is more open. Again, I think that is a good strategy, but if INDY makes shots much like the MAVS did against SA, it makes it tough. Still so early though and I bet MIA sticks with it. They are one run from taking the lead and control.

[LakerHater]

Damn Lance!!

[Mugen]

:lol Lance has such an ugly game even if he's effective in spurts...

[BatManu20]

Wade looking like '06 Wade tbh

[jeebus]

Indy is coasting as if it was a preseason game while Miami is in Game 7 of the Finals mode.

[smaka]

Miami's D sucks, man.

[DPG21920]

Love how Lance yells at his teammates for their mistakes after all he makes. He has a TO, then yells at Mahinmi on the next possession when he turns it over. Wade is grilling him on defense and he just yells at Roy for one possession and not helping.

[D-Wade]

Miami's D sucks, man.

Yep not what it used to be.

[BatManu20]

Miami's D sucks, man.

Are you kidding... Miami is still the best defensive team in the league when they want to be.. Pacers are shooting 64%, many of which are contested jump shots.. that won't continue.

[Clipper Nation]

Heat coasting, giving the haters false hope....

[TIMMYtoZO]

Miami's D sucks, man.

:lmao Already blowing your load.

[DPG21920]

With INDY's propensity to go cold and stagnate on offense, MIA is fine. MIA is adjusting to a different lineup and figuring things out. INDY is getting good looks though.

[Baam]

Still seeing that version of Wade is pretty scary... Shouldn't be surprised tho, every time he turns out to be fine, not sure what he's injecting but it sure works very well...

[DPG21920]

Good coaching from Spo tbh..

[baseline bum]

Their best game in the playoffs was game 3 vs Washington

They're shooting 64% against a legit D. They never played like this vs the Bullets.

[smaka]

:lmao Already blowing your load.
:lol team like Indy with poor ball movement getting open looks every possession

[BatManu20]

Hibbert.. just stop.

[DPG21920]

The constant is INDY's defense though. No matter what they do on offense, the only one getting great looks consistently is Wade. If they aren't turning INDY over and getting out in transition, MIA isn't getting a ton of great looks IMO.

[Mugen]

Love how Vogel stayed big against that small Heat lineup tbh..

[jeebus]

Ball don't lie

[LakerHater]

Lance eyein down LeBron like he can take him

[jeebus]

Brun:lol Mars

[Mugen]

What a retarded timeout tbh.

[LakerHater]

http://i.minus.com/ib0I3Jwoxo6iyv.gif

[Baam]

Stephenson is basically out of control all the time, it's hilarious to watch...

[DPG21920]

Love how Vogel stayed big against that small Heat lineup tbh..

Yup. It's a battle of wills. Almost cost him the ATL series, but we will see how it works against MIA over the long haul.

[jeebus]

Nice clock recognition, Hill. Stupid fuck

[Clipper Nation]

That cute little team blowing their load in the first half :lol

[BatManu20]

Indy still loses this game. No way they shoot that good in the second half.

[Mugen]

The Heat can't afford to have LeBron bang down low all game with West and expect him to carry a huge offensive load in the 2nd half tbh.

[TIMMYtoZO]

Miami is in great shape. After all of that, they are only down 10. They'll make adjustments and take control in the 3rd. Indiana is playing way over their heads, tbh.

[RsxPiimp]

:lol I thought you were 100% confident that Indiana was going to take down Miami? I see some doubt starting to creep in now that the game is getting closer to starting.

i'm not 100% confident since indiana is not bringing it 100% of the time, but yeay, indiana is my pick.

[Killakobe81]

Heat in 6 btw
They will win this game late clutch Bosh and Ray 3s both assisted by LeBron.

[RsxPiimp]

if lance and roy brings it every game, this series is in indiana's favor

[MeloHype]

They're shooting 64% against a legit D. They never played like this vs the Bullets.Miami isn't a good defense team

[Killakobe81]

Miami isn't a good defense team
They are good just not consistent.

[DPG21920]

Big first half for INDY. More importantly than hitting 3's is they got good looks in most of their sets. Paul George hasn't even had to exert himself on offense either which for them is massive as he normally has the burden of the offense on his shoulder.

On defense, it's really Wade that is getting the good looks in the half court. Lebron is doing damage but it's mostly off of TO's and in transition. MIA is getting a whole lot of nothing from the majority of their bench. Should be interesting in the 2nd half.

[Aztecfan03]

Wade looking like '06 Wade tbh

Watch him break down later in the series though.

[~O~]

Indy's entire goal this season is to get past this team. 82 games and 2 playoff series later, they're right where they want to be.

Since they've been that team the Miami Heat have had to get through on the road to the finals these past 3 years, I wouldn't be surprised if they're tired of this god damn shit.

Thus far, they've come out like they want to win. In the fourth quarter, we'll see if they really want to win.

[Hoops Czar]

Miami is in great shape. After all of that, they are only down 10. They'll make adjustments and take control in the 3rd. Indiana is playing way over their heads, tbh.

They're down 10 at the half to a dysfunctional Pacers team?

[DPG21920]

I don't get why people are saying INDY is playing over their heads?? The only area of the game they are playing over their heads is hitting their 3 point looks. They are getting good looks though. Other than that, they are only playing over their heads with regards to how they were playing for the past 2 months. If you get rid of that, they are playing a good brand of basketball and taking advantage of the match ups that have seemingly persisted over the past two years vs MIA.

[Mugen]

:lol I get the Heat coasting schtick but this Pacers team took them to 7 last year. They obviously play them tough and have no fear of Miami, they've literally geared their entire season for this series.....

I still think Miami wins but people are expecting them blow Indy out by 20 each game. The Heat haven't looked dominant since their 20+ winning streak last year tbh....

[RD2191]

DPG taking kids to school.

[LakerHater]

Indiana built thier team primarily for Miami!

[Killakobe81]

Rose blows. Lance will make em dance did he really invoke Juicy J? What a shitty halftime. Simmons knows hoops but is a much better writer than public speaker. The chick is Ok and Collins is solid but ABC has the worst coverage. Even JVG is overrated. Tries too hard Breen is also solid.

[DPG21920]

MIA is not playing a crisp brand of ball though. Like Coach Spo & Collins said though, MIA is making a lot of mistakes and not playing as aggressive on defense. They forced some TO's, but a lot of that was just bad spacing by INDY and bad passes. Plus, if Bosh is not able to hit a jump shot, it makes it really tough for MIA's strategy to work. The whole point of spacing the damn floor is to make those shots. If they aren't making them, it might force Spo to abandon the small lineup and by then it might be too late this game.

3rd quarter should be huge, but INDY with a 10 point lead and rest for their main guys bodes well.

[DPG21920]

Breen sucks IMO - only one worth their salt is JVG/Collins/Simmons.

[ElNono]

:lol Sup Calvin? Where the fuck are you at, tbh? We are at Vanessa's already prepping for the game.

:lol sup Johnny? I've got sidetracked, I'll be there asap... I'll bring another keg

[Killakobe81]

Big first half for INDY. More importantly than hitting 3's is they got good looks in most of their sets. Paul George hasn't even had to exert himself on offense either which for them is massive as he normally has the burden of the offense on his shoulder.

On defense, it's really Wade that is getting the good looks in the half court. Lebron is doing damage but it's mostly off of TO's and in transition. MIA is getting a whole lot of nothing from the majority of their bench. Should be interesting in the 2nd half.

Solid analysis. As I write this Jalen Said something else stupid can you tweet him again to stfu?

[Mugen]

Spo starting UD like I thought he would. I expect the Heat to play much better going forward tbh.

[HI-FI]

:lol I get the Heat coasting schtick but this Pacers team took them to 7 last year. They obviously play them tough and have no fear of Miami, they've literally geared their entire season for this series.....

I still think Miami wins but people are expecting them blow Indy out by 20 each game. The Heat haven't looked dominant since their 20+ winning streak last year tbh....
agree with this.

I really think Indiana can take it. I think Spurs can take either Pacers or Heat. How does Pacers matchup with Thunderefs though, because my fear is if Pacers advance, the league will try to roll out the red carpet for Thunderefs.

[ElNono]

Haslem is still alive?

[Killakobe81]

Breen sucks IMO - only one worth their salt is JVG/Collins/Simmons.
Breen doesn't add much or take anything away but I could see how some hate him his Ray call in game 6 will be a classic though.

[DPG21920]

So I guess Bosh not hitting and the good looks for INDY forced Spos hand to abandon the strategy. I think that its a bit of an overreaction (especially if you believed starting Battier was a good idea in the first place), but let's see how this goes.

[Mugen]

Breen is terrific IMO.

[jeebus]

If Lolbert keeps drawing dem fouls, it doesn't matter if he bricks every shot he throws up

[Mugen]

:lol Indy getting them Thunder calls tbh

[DPG21920]

The weird thing to me is two things:

1) It's not like West is going to have to expend more energy guarding Haslem. Battier at least spaces things better.

2) Having Haslem in over Battier helps with West and allows Lebron to switch onto George, but George wasn't the problem in the first half for MIA. Maybe it's more of an offensive thing with Lebron having more energy to play offense vs having to bang with West on defense. That's a huge responsibility.

[ElNono]

just got home... game any good?

[Mugen]

The weird thing to me is two things:

1) It's not like West is going to have to expend more energy guarding Haslem. Battier at least spaces things better.

2) Having Haslem in over Battier helps with West and allows Lebron to switch onto George, but George wasn't the problem in the first half for MIA. Maybe it's more of an offensive thing with Lebron having more energy to play offense vs having to bang with West on defense. That's a huge responsibility.

It's #2. You can't have Bron bang with their best interior player and have him carry the offense especially if Wade is unalbe to play two great halves in a row...

[Robz4000]

:lol these calls

[smaka]

just got home... game any good?
Pretty entertaining with Lance clowning around.

[DPG21920]

Bosh missing has caused the most issues, but the spacing is so much worse right now with Haslem in.

[StrengthAndHonor]

Miami is in great shape. After all of that, they are only down 10. They'll make adjustments and take control in the 3rd. Indiana is playing way over their heads, tbh.


Honestly, this game has shown us this series doesn't bode well for Indiana. They are making it rain beyond the arc, Stephenson in mid season form and Lebron so far missing in action and they are only up by 10. Like KK81 said, expect Lebron, Ray or Allen go HAM in the second half to close this out.

[ElNono]

did PG ask Lebron for any tips, tbh? :lol

[Mugen]

West is bullyin' niggas down low tbh. Lunch money stealing bullllllllllllyyyy

[ElNono]

indy looking good

[jeebus]

just got home... game any good?
Not really; it's about as exciting as an eastern conference game can get.

[D-Wade]

I just don't like the strategy of having Chris Bosh take more 3s than a true 3 point shooter like Ray. Spo has done a lot of great things for this team, but he falls in love with "floor spacing" too much.

[BC3]

So I guess Bosh not hitting and the good looks for INDY forced Spos hand to abandon the strategy. I think that its a bit of an overreaction (especially if you believed starting Battier was a good idea in the first place), but let's see how this goes.

did spo abandon small ball?

[Fireball]

so with ESPN covering the East, do we have to listen to Reggie Miller every game?

[DPG21920]

did spo abandon small ball?

Yup - overreacted IMO and started the second half with Haslem over Battier.

[Mugen]

I'd like to see Bron on the block more against PG.

[DPG21920]

I just don't like the strategy of having Chris Bosh take more 3s than a true 3 point shooter like Ray. Spo has done a lot of great things for this team, but he falls in love with "floor spacing" too much.

TBH, he's done the opposite this game. He yanked Shane and put in Haslem to start the 2nd half.

[HI-FI]

Not really; it's about as exciting as an eastern conference game can get.
but but the east is better than Dad Killer's era. :cry

[Fireball]

I just don't like the strategy of having Chris Bosh take more 3s than a true 3 point shooter like Ray. Spo has done a lot of great things for this team, but he falls in love with "floor spacing" too much. this game is an anomaly, because he is not hitting a high percentage ... but as I recal it Chris Bosh is clutch this season from the three point line

[DPG21920]

Yup - Bosh got some good looks. Him missing those put Spo in a bind. He felt he had to abandon the game plan very early.

[Mugen]

Great sequence by Lance.

[jeebus]

but but the east is better than Dad Killer's era. :cry
Oh. Then in that case, I'm wrong. :cry

[jeebus]

nice bailout, refs. I guess you gotta hold the ball for a good minute before a jumpball is called.

[Muser]

Damn Indiana spanking that ass.

[Mugen]

Agreed w/ JVG. I hate that timeout rule.

[Robz4000]

Lame call

[Hoops Czar]

Miami's got Indiana right where they want them.

[cjw]

this game is an anomaly, because he is not hitting a high percentage ... but as I recal it Chris Bosh is clutch this season from the three point line

He's still 4 of 10 from the floor. Say two of those threes go in and he's all the sudden shooting well above his averages both from the floor and 3, and it's still a 10 point deficit.

[Robz4000]

Miami gonna come back and win. Indy's gone full retard on offense again.

[Trainwreck2100]

V
so with ESPN covering the East, do we have to listen to Reggie Miller every game?

Miller Kerr and Marv

[TIMMYtoZO]

Bang! Back down to 13. Miami still hanging around despite Indiana playing lights out.

[~O~]

Being complacent and taking stupid shots like David West did..is not going to get it done.

The officiating has been great thus far and I always bitch about officiating.

[Fireball]

V

Miller Kerr and Marv well, as Kerr is now the coach of Golden State, we are stuck with Reggie Miller ...