I want the pacers to win, but I don't think the refs will allow Indiana to play physical since it's Miami!
I wanted to be "that guy" who complains about the officiating before anything happens.
lol
Just as long as it's not like the Mavs/Heat in 2006 when the refs turned Wade into Michael Jordan. That was cringe worthy lol.
Heat fans might actually be surprised... aside from a healthy Thunder team, I said going into the playoffs that the Pacers, Grizzlies and Clippers all have the best chance of knocking off the Heat. The Heat will always have a mismatch with Lebron being able to play 4 positions but these teams have a mismatch with their size. Pacers were up 2-1 on Miami last season and Lebron had to put up 40pts 18rebs 9asts 2stls and 2blks in game 4 just to squeak out a win.
Should also be noted that over the last 10 games...
Game 48: Pacers - of 66
Playoff 1: Heat
Playoff 2: Pacers
Playoff 3: Pacers
Playoff 4: Heat
Playoff 5: Heat
Playoff 6: Heat
Game 35: Pacers - of 82
Game 47: Pacers - of 82
Game 63: Heat - of 82
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5-5
Playoffs are a different beast but Pacers have held their own. And, they're not the same team as last year. David West and George Hill were in their 1st season with the team and Frank Vogel was a 1st year head coach. Miami can attest to some growing pains of a newly assembled team and creating chemistry. Not to mention, David West tore his ACL with 10 games remaining in the season with the Hornets so he was still recovering from the injury last season. He has looked like a different player this season now that he's a season removed from rehabbing. And George Hill was playing with the bench unit and didn't take over as starter til the end of the season. He was only a starter for 9 games and only played in 50 of 66 games last season. You also have Paul George who has taken a giant leap forward since last season making him a new player and Lance Stephenson is the anti-Granger. Granger relied on being a good jump shooter and Lance Stephenson relies on being a slasher. They both fill up the stat sheet but do it with a different style.
I think it's safe to say the Pacers won't be intimidated because they saw the Heat last year and know what they're in for. The biggest thing will be, how will the refs officiate the game...? The Pacers have been given a lot of respect from the refs after their defensive performance this season. Number one in field goal percentage, three point percentage, rebounding and number two in points allowed.
I hope to see more of this...
Ultimately, I think the Heat will win in 6 or 7 but I think the Pacers could pull the upset depending on the officiating. If they're going to call every ticky tack foul, the Heat will win no problem. If they let the Pacers get away with murder, I say game on. Also, Hibbert was demolishing Chandler on the boards and he's bigger/better than any of Miami's bigs. If Hibbert can carry that type of effort over to this series, he could average 15 boards.
I'm not going to get my hopes up but I do think the Pacers have a punchers chance. Quite frankly, I think the Heat's easiest route to beating the Pacers is making the extra pass to their role players for 3's. I think they could win relatively easy if they play as decoys and kick it out. They'll make it harder on themselves if the big 3 are trying to do it all because the Pacers are really disciplined and will be all over them like white on rice. Kick it to the open snipers and I fear getting lit up. Hold on to it and I like the Pacers ability to force misses.