Heat-Pacers Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
Posted Jan 07 2013 11:29PM

On their way to an NBA title last season, the Miami Heat avoided an early scare and eliminated the Indiana Pacers in the second round.

In their first meeting since that series, the Heat will try to snap the Pacers' longest home winning streak in nearly three years Tuesday night.

Miami trailed Indiana 2-1 in an Eastern Conference semifinal series in 2012 before outscoring the Pacers by an average of 17.3 points while reeling off three wins in a row - two in Indianapolis.

Now, the Heat (23-9) are looking to end Indiana's seven-game home winning streak, the club's longest since an eight-game run Feb. 27-March 30, 2010.

Miami is 9-35 in Indianapolis during the regular season and just 7-6 on the road this season heading into its second six-game road trip of 2012-13. The team went 4-2 during the previous one Nov. 9-17.

"We're going to see where we're at," said Chris Bosh, who missed all but Game 1 of the playoff series versus Indiana due to an abdominal strain. "Trips are always a test."

The Heat are coming off Sunday's 99-71 win over lowly Washington, during which they scored the game's final 21 points and allowed their lowest total of the season.

They're still seeking improvement defensively after allowing 105.6 points per game on 46.5 percent shooting while losing three of their previous five. Opponents are averaging 100.8 points and shooting 39.9 percent from 3-point range in Miami's road games.

"We understand that if we want to win, ultimately we have to defend," said LeBron James, who has 32.3 points per game over the past three away contests.

James averaged 30.0 points and 10.8 rebounds against the Pacers in the playoffs, while Dwyane Wade stepped up with 33.0 on 61.5 percent shooting over the last three games. Wade scored 41 with 10 rebounds in a 105-93 road win in Game 6.

The Heat scored 75 points in each of their losses in Games 2 and 3.

The Pacers (20-14) remain one of the better defensive teams in the league, yielding an average of 89.8 points on NBA-low 41.4 percent shooting. They've been even better during their home winning streak, allowing 83.6 points per contest and 39.7 percent from the floor.

"Coach (Frank Vogel) is holding us accountable to protect our home court," guard George Hill said. "Like he says, this is supposed to be sacred ground, something we have to cherish when other people come into this arena. It takes all of us, and that's what we're buying into."

The Pacers signed Vogel - 82-56 in three seasons - to a contract extension Monday, although the length and terms weren't announced.

That was two days after Indiana extended its home win streak with a 95-80 victory over Milwaukee. Roy Hibbert had 20 points and 15 rebounds - 11 on the offensive glass to come within one of the franchise record.

"I just wanted to carve out some space and try to get as many offensive rebounds as possible," said Hibbert, who averaged 12.3 points and 11.5 boards against the Heat in the postseason. "Early in the season, I'd catch the rebound and I'd just go back up real soft."

Hill is trying to shake off the effects of a groin injury that sidelined him for three games before he scored 14 points on 7-of-16 shooting against the Bucks.

"It wasn't 100 percent, but I'll take it for what it is and keep trying to get better," Hill said.

George scores 29 to lead Pacers over Heat 87-77

By CLIFF BRUNT
Posted Jan 08 2013 10:55PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Paul George made no attempt to downplay the importance of his matchup with LeBron James.

"It's a chance to for me to see where I'm at, going against one of the best, if not, the best in the league," George said. "Another challenge to myself to go at LeBron. I definitely wanted to battle him."

George rose to the occasion with 29 points and 11 rebounds, and the Pacers held Miami to a season-low point total in an 87-77 win over the Heat on Tuesday night.

George has moved from shooting guard to small forward and has become a primary scoring option with Danny Granger, Indiana's leading scorer last season, out all season because of a left knee injury.

Indiana's 22-year-old forward has earned James' respect for the way he has handled his new responsibilities.

"I see him playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of opportunities," James said. "The simple fact that Danny Granger is hurt has created this opportunity for him to show what he can do. He's doing everything. He was a good player last year, but we weren't able to see it because he wasn't a featured player."

David West added 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Lance Stephenson chipped in with 13 points for the Pacers (21-14), who have won 11 of their last 14 games.

Dwyane Wade scored 30 points and James had 22 points and 10 rebounds for Miami (23-10), which still has the best record in the Eastern Conference. It was the first time the teams had met since Miami beat the Pacers in six games in the conference semifinals last year.

The Pacers outrebounded the Heat 55-36 to help make up for 36 percent shooting.

"That was a big emphasis tonight," George said. "Miami is a team that, for as good as they are, they struggle with rebounding. We knew that coming in. We knew that we had to get the boards. And we're bigger. We're a big team."

George had gone 8 for 29 in his previous two games, but he broke out of his slump by making 12 of 27 shots against Miami.

Miami entered the game leading the NBA in field goal percentage, while Indiana led the league in field goal percentage defense. The matchup resulted in the Heat scoring only 35 points in the second half, their lowest-scoring half of the season.

"Offensively, we did not have a very fluid game on that side of the court," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "I'll have to take care of that tomorrow."

Indiana led 38-28 in the second quarter before the Heat rallied late in the half. Wade hit a 3-pointer to cut Indiana's lead to 38-37, and a putback by James gave the Heat the lead. The teams were tied at 42 at halftime. Wade scored 23 points in the first half, including 16 in the second quarter.

The Heat found their offensive flow in the early minutes of the second half. A 3-pointer by Mario Chalmers gave the Heat a 51-44 lead and caused the Pacers to call a timeout, but Indiana rallied. Stephenson found West in the corner for a 3-pointer, then Stephenson made a 3-pointer to give the Pacers a 55-53 lead.

George made consecutive 3-pointers to make it 67-57 at the end of the quarter. The Pacers made 5 of 8 from 3-point range in the period. Miami scored just 15 points on 7-for-18 shooting in the third and Wade went scoreless.

George opened the fourth with a jumper over James to expand Indiana's lead to 12, and Ian Mahinmi's putback bumped it to 14.

Another 3 by George made it 77-60 with about 8 minutes to go, and the Pacers remained comfortably ahead the rest of the way.

Wade scored just seven points on 1-for-4 shooting in the second half. George said Stephenson deserved credit for bothering Wade.

"He made it hard for him in the second half," George said. "Everybody was locked in to his drive and tried to contest all his shots."

The Pacers were subdued in the locker room after the game, perhaps a sign that they have come to expect such victories.

"We can't overreact to this," West said. "We're just happy to get a win. That's a good basketball team."

Notes: Vogel said Granger's recovery from his left knee injury is on schedule, meaning he should be ready to play in about a month. ... The Pacers led 20-19 at the end of the first quarter, despite shooting just 28 percent. ... Wade was fouled on a 3-pointer in the second quarter and made all three free throws. ... West's 3-pointer was just his third of the season and the 39th of his 10-year career. ... Indiana won its eighth straight at home.

Notebook: Pacers 87, Heat 77

Conrad Brunner, for NBA.com
Posted Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:43 PM - Updated Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:11 AM

THE FACTS:
There was a transcendent star dominating the game at both ends of the floor, but his name didn't begin with LeBron or end with Wade. Paul George was the man in the middle of everything, scoring 29 points while playing solid defense against both of Miami's superstars to lead Indiana to an 87-77 victory over the visiting Heat Tuesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. George also had 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. Most of his night was spent defending LeBron James, who managed 22 points but committed seven turnovers. Some was against Dwyane Wade, who scored 23 in the first half but took just four shots in the second. And George did not commit a foul until nearly 44 minutes elapsed, and then only on help defense on Chris Bosh. It was a remarkable performance from a young star emerging in the absence of Danny Granger, out until at least the end of this month recovering from a knee injury. Indiana won its eighth in a row at home to improve to 21-14. Miami dropped to 23-10, 7-7 on the road. The Pacers outrebounded the Heat 55-36 and held a dominating 23-6 advantage in second-chance points thanks to 22 offensive boards.

QUOTABLE: "Paul George was sensational, carried us for a long stretch of the game offensively and played 43 minutes of solid defense against LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. (He) has become the best defensive wing in the game and impacts the game in a variety of ways."
-- Indiana coach Frank Vogel

THE STAT: After Miami took a 51-44 lead with 8:24 left in the third quarter, the Heat managed just 26 points on 8-for-24 shooting with nine turnovers in the game's final 20:23.

TURNING POINT: Responding to Miami's early burst to start the second half, George ignited Indiana on a 33-9 run that spanned more than 16 minutes, scoring 17 points. The defense limited Miami to 4-for-17 shooting and forced six turnovers during the run, which produced a 77-60 Indiana lead with 8:08 remaining.

QUOTABLE II: "Tonight I really wanted to attack. My guys did a good job of getting me open and I was able to knock in shots. We take pride in playing at home and take pride in our defense. Tonight was a team defensive effort when we were able to load up on guys."

-- George

HOT: George had been in a mild shooting slump, missing all six of his 3-point attempts and going 8-for-29 overall in his previous two games, but brushed that aside. He was 4-for-9 from the arc in a 12-for-27 night, committing just one turnover. Lance Stephenson made 3 of 4 from the 3-point line and scored 13 points. Wade was on fire in the first half, going 3-for-4 from the arc and 8-for-12 overall but was mysteriously silent in the second.

NOT: Miami's rebuilt bench was atrocious, combing for just eight points on 3-for-14 shooting. Designated sharpshooters Ray Allen and Shane Battier both were scoreless, combining to miss eight shots overall, seven from the 3-point line. Indiana center Roy Hibbert was 3-for-12, and five of his misses were putbacks.

QUOTABLE III: "I see him playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of opportunities. The simple fact that Danny Granger is hurt has created the opportunity for him to show what he can do. He's doing everything. He's rebounding, scoring ... He was a good player last year but we weren't able to see it because he wasn't a featured player."

-- James on George

GOOD MOVE: After Miami jumped out to a 51-44 lead early in the third quarter, Stephenson picked up his fourth foul. Vogel gambled and left the young guard in the game and he responded with a pair of 3-pointers that helped get the Pacers started on their game-changing run.

BAD MOVE: Stephenson's confidence became a problem down the stretch as he hoisted four straight errant jumpers in the final minutes, allowing Miami to cut the lead to as few as seven points before the Pacers closed it out at the free throw line.

NOTABLE: Indiana point guard George Hill played 23 scoreless minutes before leaving the game for good in the fourth quarter with the flu. ... The Pacers have won 17 of 24 and moved into a tie for first in the Central Division with Chicago. ... Hibbert has 20 offensive rebounds in the last two games. ... Wade had not made more than one 3-pointer in a game this season but hit three in the first half. ... Indiana is 8-7 when scoring less than 90 points. ... Miami's 77 points were a season-low. ... Other than the big three of James, Wade and Bosh, the rest of the Miami roster managed 11 points. ... Miami entered with the fewest road games in the league (13) and did not start a six-game trip well. ... This was Indiana's fifth win against a team currently in playoff position, but three have come in the last four games.

UP NEXT: For the Pacers, Thursday vs. New York, Saturday vs. Charlotte, Sunday @ Brooklyn. For the Heat, Thursday @ Portland, Saturday @ Sacramento, Monday @ Golden State.

• Heat: Pittman
• Pacers: Granger, Plumlee

• Heat: --
• Pacers: --

• Lead Changes: 12
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
• Officials: #17 Joe Crawford, #74 Curtis Blair, #26 Pat Fraher
• Attendance: 18165
• Duration: 2:12