The Miami Heat were able to beat the Indiana Pacers 101-93 in Game 4. It was a crucial win for Miami, who avoided losing a third straight game to the Pacers. It didn’t look promising for the Heat early, as they trailed by 8-points at halftime. Miami took control of the game with a 30-16 third quarter. The series is all tied at 2-2 as the two teams return to Miami for Game 5 on Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 EST and will be broadcasted nationally on TNT.
Looking at the spread for Game 5 Miami is favored by 6.5-points over Indiana with the total set at 180. Get the latest on the Heat and Pacers series by double-clicking here.
Indiana
The Pacers just could not get it going in the second half of Game 4, but I do not believe that loss will change their attitude towards winning Game 5 in Miami. Indiana’s struggles were a result of Roy Hibbert and David west both getting into foul trouble. West was limited to just 8 points and 6 rebounds, while Hibbert only managed 10 points and 9 boards. In Game 3, these two combined for 33 points and 27 rebounds. Hibbert and West can’t get into foul trouble if Indiana is going to win Game 5. When they aren’t on the floor, Indiana not only loses loses out on the offensive end, but it takes away two of their better post defenders.
Danny Granger led the Pacers with 20-points, Paul George had a respectable game with 13 points, six rebounds, and 5 assists and Darren Collison came off the bench to score 16 points in 20 minutes. Indiana also got a lift from Tyler Hansbrough and Leandro Barbosa, who each added 8 points.
The Pacers just have to keep playing with the same intensity they have in the first four games of the series. Even though LeBron James and Dwayne Wade are putting up big numbers, this team is playing great defense. Had West and Hibbert been able to play more minutes in the second half, Indiana would probably have a 3-1 lead. It wouldn’t be a surprise at all if the Pacers went down to Miami and stole Game 5.
Miami
What a remarkable performance from Wade and James. It’s a game the Heat desperately needed to win. Only 8 teams in the history of the NBA playoffs have came back from a 3-1 deficit to win a best of seven series. James made sure the Heat didn’t fall into that hole. James not only scored a game-high 40 points on 14 of 27 shooting, but he also had 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. If that was not enough for the Pacers to deal with, Wade added 30 points, six assists and 9 rebounds.
Udonis Haslem was the only other player to score in double-figures, who added 14 points in 25 minutes off the bench. Miami had hoped Mario Chalmers would be a factor after he put in 25 points in Game 3, but he ended up going just 3 of 9 for eight points in Game 4. No one else had more than 4 points.
I’m a little bit worried that Game 4 might have gave the Heat some false hope. When you get 70 points from 2 players, the game should not even be close. Outside of Wade and James, there isn’t a player on the roster who you can guarantee will get 10 points. You can not expect Wade and James to score that many points on a consistent basis. If the Heat don’t get more out of it’s role players, they are going to struggle to win Game 5.
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