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| Paul George and Lebron James during Game 2 of last season's Eastern Conference Finals (Getty Images) |
It's the match-up many NBA fans expected and anticipated in the Eastern Conference after last season's thrilling seven games, the Eastern Conference Finals re-match has finally arrived so let the fireworks off and get the party going. For the second straight year, the two-time defending NBA Champions Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers meet in the Eastern Conference Finals. This is the third consecutive season the two ball clubs have met in the playoffs dating back to the 2012 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, where Miami won in 6 games. After last season, Miami took a competitive series in a dramatic (4-3) in route to a second consecutive NBA Title. After the heartbreaking defeat, this season was all about the Indiana Pacers fighting hard to earn the top seed in the Eastern Conference throughout the playoffs which they believed would be a vital asset in beating Miami. Despite almost surrendering the top spot towards the end of this season, Indiana would hold on and earn the positioning so there should be no excuses this time around. The Pacers have experienced an up and down roller coaster throughout the playoffs to make it to this point. Their playoff run has the amount of drama that you would see in a soap opera plot. Despite all of the drama, they have battled adversity and reached back to back Conference Finals for the first time since (1998-2000) in which they reached it an unprecedented three straight times. The last few months of foul basketball from the Pacers should not be dismissed entirely, but every matchup-specific indicator available suggests that the Heat will get a fair fight. Expect a competitive series -- these two rivals don't seem to know how to play one another any way but closely. As for Miami, The Big 3 and Company are making their fourth consecutive appearance and the road couldn't have been much easier, only losing one game this post-season. In the regular season, Miami and Indiana split their series (2-2), so who will prevail this time around. Will the Pacers reach their first NBA Finals since 2000? Or will Miami make yet another NBA Finals appearance?
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| Wade's call for discipline worked. Stephenson was ejected after getting called for his second technical foul. |
Let's start with the biggest statement we know, "To Be The Champs, You Have To Beat The Champs", which no one has done that since the Dallas Mavericks back in 2011 when Miami was eliminated in six games. The Miami Heat has continued to be one of the consistent teams in the league since the Big 3 arrived in South Beach since the summer of 2010. Besides being (8-1) in the playoffs, they are undefeated in the friendly confines of American AirLines Arena. LeBron James may not have won MVP throughout the regular season; however, throughout the postseason, he is undoubtedly the most valuable player of all of the teams remaining . James is averaging (30.0) points, (7.1) rebounds, and (4.7) assist per game while shooting a remarkable (56.4%) from the field. He matched his career playoff high with 49 points in their Game 4 victory against the Brooklyn Nets. Now, and his efforts with a healthy Dwayne Wade posting (17.4) points a night and their third key, Chris Bosh shooting a playoff career high (44.3%) from three, collectively they have the whole team in sync and focused on returning to the NBA Finals. In the playoffs, James, Wade, and Bosh are all shooting over shot (50%) or better and did the same versus the Indiana Pacers during their regular season match-ups. Miami's role players will have to play a critical part in order to win the series as head coach Erik Spoelstra implemented a variety of lineups in each series that gave Miami the opportunity to play to their strength. Miami will need Udonis Haslem, Chris Anderson, and Rashard Lewis to elevate their game against a bigger Indiana front-court. Indiana was also outrebounded by Washington (283-209) in their 6 game series. Greg Oden may also be key as the seven footer if healthy can provide valuable minutes for the undersized Heat and contribute on the glass as much as he can. As for Miami, their X-Factor outside of the obvious three stars is forward Udonis Haslem. Haslem, listed at 6-foot-8, gives up six inches to the 7-2 Hibbert, but this should be a preferred that matchup in the regular season for the way that the undersized forward contested every one of Hibbert's steps. Similar to the series against Atlanta and Washington, you want to make him as ineffective as possible and if Haslem can succeed with that, saves Bosh from the trouble. If Haslem can maintain that kind of presence on Hibbert (and, occasionally, on West) without taking too much away from Miami's spacing on offense, Indiana will have a hard time keeping up with any adjustments.
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| Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert has reason to celebrate as his team defeated the Miami Heat at home to force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images. Photograph: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images |
As for the Indiana Pacers, this team is in the same position they were last season except they own home court throughout the series, which was their biggest goal as mentioned earlier. However, throughout the playoffs, home has not been where the heart is and more along the lines of heartbroken. The Pacers are (3-4) at home this postseason and suffered depleting blowouts versus the likes of Atlanta and Washington thus far. Compare that to a (5-1) record on the road, the court at Bankers Life Field-House is not providing much of an advantage to this point. If Indiana is going to win this series, it starts All-Star Paul George. George is averaging (21.9) points and (8.7) rebounds per game but it is his defense that may be undervalued and critical to helping the Pacers advance to the NBA Finals. In the first two rounds, George is averaging (2.3) steals per game, which could frustrate Miami often and early and could be a recipe for success. In this series, Indiana presents one of the best on-ball defenders against James in the league, Indiana is well equipped to make his every possession a challenge and perhaps stall Miami's offense in the process. Another key component who must step up is center Roy Hibbert, whom is continuing to experience highs and lows, which is detrimental for the Pacers. In their wins, Hibbert is averaging (19.7) points and (9.0) rebounds; but, in their defeats, Hibbert averages a dismal (4.0) points and (2.0) rebounds, which is pathetic for a man with the frame to be one of the dominant centers in the NBA today. Hibbert, who made a name for himself last postseason, has cursed his name this playoffs. In order to win this series, the play of Lance Stephenson is vital and he'll need to respond. Throughout the post-season Stephenson is only averaging (13.5) points and (7.4) rebounds per game; but, his intangibles along with his athleticism helps Indiana in more ways than one. Sometimes Lance wants to be Lance and his off the court and questionable plays on the court questions which Lance Stephenson will you get on a nightly basis? Luckily 10 year veteran David West has provided a huge impact in both series by coming up in their biggest moments. Last series, West was a huge factor in their Game 4 victory against Washington and their series clinching Game 6 victory over the Wizards in which he posted (29) points, (6) rebounds, and (4) assists . West is posting (14.6) points and (6.8) rebounds for Indiana, who will need all the production they can get. CJ Watson back in the rotation provides balance with Luis Scola off the bench as Indiana primary relies on their core five for scoring but all hands on deck for this one because the Miami Heat definitely provides more fire power so the Indiana role players must give this team issues or this will be a repeat of last season.
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Miami is always very effective and usually win majority of their match-ups against Indiana; even with the series being split (2-2) this season and that spells disaster for Indiana. This season the Heat are (11-1) when the Big 3 shoots better than (55%) from the field and when Miami plays solid defense as a unit, they're nearly impossible to contain. This season, the Heat are an impressive (34-2) when holding their opponents under (50%) shooting. Both statistics favor the Heat substantially. The Pacers have that twinkle in their eye when Miami is on the schedule and revenge is not just the only motive for Indiana. They want to be the team that has arrived and prove not just to the Eastern conference but the whole NBA they are here to stay and want to join the elite ranks for years to come. With their rising Superstar in Paul George, their veteran forward David West to go with their complimentary player in Lance Stephenson, in their minds they can beat the two-time defending champions. Although we've seen the emergence of Paul George, he is not a top 5 player yet to me and George Hill is not a true point guard. David West is solid but you can't expect him to post 20 points and 10 rebounds every game in this stage of his career. Roy Hibbert couldn't have played at Georgetown, while Lance Stephenson is a poor man's Ron Artest. Let's face the facts; Indiana has played the most games (13) as a #1 seed in route to an Eastern Conference Finals since the 7 game series format was established in 2003. It's been a good season for the Pacers and a horrific playoffs for their unit and even though they'll give a fight, the Miami Heat will be in the NBA Finals for a fourth consecutive time as look become to first team to win three NBA Finals in a row since the Los Angeles Lakers from (2000-2002).
MY PREDICTION:
MIAMI HEAT OVER INDIANA PACERS 4-2
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