NBA Playoffs: Pacers Force Game 7

Jun 1, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers small forward Paul George (24) battles for position with Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) during the second half in game six of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 91-77. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers 91 Miami Heat 77

 How Indiana Won: The dynamic duo of Roy Hibbert and David West dominated in the paint once again.  Hibbert finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds, West added 11 points and 14 rebounds, and the Pacers had a 44-22 edge in points in the paint.

The Indiana defense held Miami to just 36 percent shooting from the field, and had a 53-33 advantage on the boards.  Paul George finally busted out of a slump, scoring 28 points, including shooting 3 for 5 from beyond the arc.  George Hill bounced back from terrible game 5 performance and finished with 16 points and 6 assists.

The Pacers trailed 40-39 at halftime, and just like the Heat did in game 5, Indiana took complete control.  They started the second half going on a 14-2 run, and outscored Miami 29-15 in the third quarter.

 How Miami Lost: The defending champions received no production from anybody outside of Lebron James.  The rest of the team shot 16 for 51(31 percent), with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh scoring only 10 points each.  Chris Andersen was suspended for the game because of a shoving incident with Tyler Hansbrough in game 5, and he was clearly missed, as the Heat were dominated on the boards, and in the paint.

James finished with 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, and helped reduce the Pacer lead to 68-55 at the end of the third quarter.  The Pacers started the final period 1 for 6 shooting, and Mike Miller hit back-to-back three-pointers to cut the lead to 70-64.  James then scored on a lay-up with six minutes left to cut the Indiana lead to 4.  But a quick Paul George three, and a David West dunk sparked a quick 5-0 run to stretch the lead to 77-68, and James lost his cool, picking up a technical after he was called for an offensive foul.

 It Was Over When: With the Heat down 72-68 with 5:54 remaining, George stepped up and made a huge three.  Joel Anthony was then called for a loose ball for on the ensuing possession, and David West was able to grab an offensive rebound and score on a dunk to extend the Pacer lead to 77-68.  Miami never got within single digits after that point.

Quote of the Night:  “We’ve come too far not to play. I’m not feeling good now although this win helps. I’m sure I’ll be better tomorrow and I’ll be ready for Monday.” –David West

Box Score:

Miami Heat

STARTERS

MIN

FGM-A

3PM-A

FTM-A

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

+/-

PTS

16

0-2

0-0

0-0

0

2

2

0

1

0

1

4

-10

0

42

10-21

2-4

7-8

0

7

7

6

2

1

4

2

-22

29

31

1-8

1-1

2-2

1

3

4

0

0

1

3

2

-9

5

21

3-8

2-3

2-2

2

0

2

0

1

0

2

2

-17

10

34

3-11

1-2

3-5

0

2

2

1

2

1

2

1

-8

10

BENCH

MIN

FGM-A

3PM-A

FTM-A

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

+/-

PTS

1

0-0

0-0

0-0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

-1

0

4

0-0

0-0

0-0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

1

-5

0

29

1-5

0-0

0-0

5

3

8

0

1

3

0

5

-2

2

28

4-7

1-2

0-0

0

2

2

2

0

0

0

2

+2

9

21

2-8

1-4

1-2

1

1

2

1

2

0

0

1

+3

6

12

2-2

2-2

0-0

0

3

3

0

1

0

1

0

-1

6

DNP COACH’S DECISION

DNP SUSPENDED BY LEAGUE

TOTALS

FGM-A

3PM-A

FTM-A

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

PTS

Indiana Pacers

STARTERS

MIN

FGM-A

3PM-A

FTM-A

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

+/-

PTS

36

5-14

0-0

1-2

5

9

14

4

1

2

2

1

+18

11

43

11-19

3-5

3-4

0

8

8

5

3

0

6

4

+12

28

42

11-20

0-0

2-4

5

6

11

0

0

1

2

6

+12

24

43

6-12

2-4

2-2

1

1

2

6

0

0

2

3

+16

16

40

1-4

0-1

2-2

1

11

12

4

1

0

4

4

+18

4

BENCH

MIN

FGM-A

3PM-A

FTM-A

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

+/-

PTS

12

1-2

0-0

1-4

2

2

4

0

0

0

0

1

-4

3

7

1-2

1-1

0-0

0

1

1

0

0

0

0

0

+3

3

6

0-0

0-0

0-0

1

0

1

0

0

0

2

0

+2

0

10

1-1

0-0

0-0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

-8

2

1

0-0

0-0

0-0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

+1

0

DNP COACH’S DECISION

DNP COACH’S DECISION

DNP COACH’S DECISION

TOTALS

FGM-A

3PM-A

FTM-A

OREB

DREB

REB

AST

STL

BLK

TO

PF

PTS