Miami Heat hit form; Rout Indiana Pacers 115-83 in Game 5 – NBA Playoffs Recap
The Miami Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers in a blowout here on Tuesday night at the American Airlines Arena.
The Heat won 115-83 to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals. LeBron James scored 30 points on the night, hauled down 10 rebounds and handed out 8 assists as the Heat moved one game away from claiming a spot in
the final four.
After being down 1-2 in the series, Miami have now won two in a row and will travel back to Indiana to play game 6.
Tuesday night was another physically gruelling game between the two teams, with three flagrant fouls distributed during the course of the game. Both teams have made it clear that they do not like each other very much. Game 6 will
be even more physical as it is a potential elimination game.
“This is our challenge right now, to leave it behind us. A lot of good things tonight, but we have to focus on the next one” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.
Miami started the game hot, taking an early 19-8 lead on the back of three 3 pointers by Shane Battier, including one to open the scoring for Miami. The Heat then closed the quarter with a three pointer by LeBron James to lead
26-20.
Indiana came within three of the Heat on numerous occasions in the 2nd quarter, and trailed them 38-41 when LeBron sank a three pointer that sparked a run for Miami. Miami went 8-2 to end the half, including the three
pointer by LeBron, and led 49-40.
With 8:49 left in the third period, Danny Granger twisted his ankle and had to leave for the locker room to have it examined. Miami were leading 56-45 at that time. They immediately went on a 9-2 run after that, extending the lead
to 65-47. From there on, it was all Miami as despite their efforts, the Pacers were unable to stop the Heat scoring. Miami led 76-57 at the close of the third period. They continued the offensive onslaught in the final quarter, scoring 39 points while holding
Indiana to only 26 and won 115-83.
James was amazing as always but he was assisted by his All-Star partner Dwyane Wade with 28 points, who shot 10 of 17 from the field and 7 of 13 from the free throw line. Shane Battier was on a hot streak for the night, scoring
4 of his attempted 5 three point shots for 13 points. Udonis Haslem came off the bench to score 10 points and grab 6 rebounds, while Mario Chalmers had 8 points for the night.
Danny Granger had 10 points in 20 playing minutes for the Pacers, before he left the game after twisting his ankle. David West had 10 points and 4 rebounds while Paul George had 11 points. Roy Hibbert could match his stellar performance
from game 3 as he went 3 of 10 from the field for 8 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Miami shot 61.4% from the field, the highest field goal percentage by any team in this year’s playoffs. They were also 9 of 16 from beyond the arc to cap off an amazing shooting night. The Pacers shot only 33.7% from the field
and 28.6% from the distance on a poor performance from the field. They were also outrebounded 49-35 by the Heat despite their size and inside presence with Hibbert. They had 3 blocks compared to 10 by the Heat.
"They played at their tempo. We weren't able to get enough stops. You can't allow a team to shoot 60, 60-plus, whatever from the field” said David West.
Granger had to undergo x-rays to his ankle but luckily the x-rays came out negative. He is a game time decision for game 6 Thursday in Indianapolis.
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