Playoff Central 2013
Streeter Lecka - NBAE/Getty Images
Miami markets its Big Three, and the Pacers try to rely on a Big Five, as Paul George puts it. Still, the Eastern Conference finals has been dominated by the Big One. What can the Pacers do better to deal with LeBron James?
Read More » Birdman Suspended for Game 6 »On Saturday night, the Indiana Pacers will entertain the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in an 8:30 p.m. start. The action will begin much sooner outside the Fieldhouse doors with a “Saturday Night Swagger” party on Pennsylvania St.
Read More »Isaac Baldizon - NBAE/Getty Images
Miami outscored the Pacers 30-13 in the third quarter to seize control of Game 5 en route to a 90-79 win. Paul George led the Pacers with 27 and 11 rebounds. Roy Hibbert added 22 points and six rebounds, while David West scored 17 and grabbed eight boards. Game 6 is Saturday night in Indianapolis.
Game Rewind (Recap, Photos, Highlights) »Andy Lyons - NBAE/Getty Images
A key to the Pacers' Game 4 win over the Heat was the play of Lance Stephenson and Sam Young, who provided a boost offensively while also taking on the task of guarding LeBron James.
Read More »Jessica Hoffman
The deadline to register for the Eastern Conference Finals has passed. If you missed the deadline, be sure to register now to qualify for an opportunity to purchase tickets for the NBA Finals before the general public! Registration is free and only takes a moment.
Register »Nathaniel S. Butler - NBAE/Getty Images
Pacers coach Frank Vogel has identified Lance Stephenson as one of the keys to Indiana's series with Miami. The 22-year-old is a work in progress, but he makes the Pacers a finished product when he plays well.
Finishing the Product » See Also:
Hibbert Puts it in Writing »Jenn Fidler
The Pacers hosted a picnic prior to Game 4 to grill out on Pacers Plaza and enjoy hot dogs, chips, desserts and drinks thanks to Kroger, Gatorade and Vienna Beef. WTHR Channel 13 broadcasted live with exclusive interviews with Pacers personalities.
See Photos » Watch Video »Ron Hoskins - NBAE/Getty Images
Whether he's posting up his defender into the foul lane for an easy shot, or penetrating and leaving a pass for an easy dunk or layup, or whipping a cross-court pass for a wide-open three-pointer, the Pacers have to figure a way to stop LeBron.
Montieth » Agness: Learning to Respond from the Champs »The Pacers fell Sunday night to a hot-shooting Miami Heat squad in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 114-96. Roy Hibbert had his second straight double-double for Indiana, scoring 20 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. David West added 21 and 10.
Game Rewind (Recap, Photos, Highlights) » Celebrity Interviews »Nathaniel S. Butler - NBAE/Getty Images
All the harsh realities of the Eastern Conference Finals came crashing down on the Pacers Sunday, as Miami reversed the entire personality of the series with a 114-96 victory. It can be changed again, but the options for doing that are going to be limited when LeBron James plays as he did, and Udonis Haslem hits 8-of-9 shots.
Montieth » 5 Takeaways »Nathaniel S. Butler - NBAE/Getty Images
The Pacers' fate in this series could very well rest on their guard play. If George Hill and Lance Stephenson can outplay the Heat backcourt of Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers, as they did on Friday, what chance do the Heat have of winning the series?
Montieth » Mark's Mailbag: Playoffs Edition »Mike Ehrmann - NBAE/Getty Images
The Pacers forced LeBron James into two late turnovers to seal a 97-93 win over the Miami Heat in Game 2. All five Pacers starters scored in double figures, led by Roy Hibbert with a playoff career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds. Paul George added 22.
Game Rewind (Recap, Photos, Highlights) » PG's Monster Slam »Isaac Baldizon
This time, David West didn't have to break up an on-court celebration and wave his teammates into the locker room. This time, the Pacers took their good and hard-earned fortune in stride, as if they had been there before.
No Celebration » Mark's Mailbag: Playoffs Edition »Nathaniel S. Butler - NBAE/Getty Images
Isaac Baldizon
Coach Vogel's decision to pull Roy Hibbert, the player regarded by many as the best rim protector in the NBA, for the possessions that led to James' layups was easily debated. Vogel's reaction, however, represents their best hope for upsetting the Heat.
Vogel Smiles »Secure seats for the the Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat by placing a deposit on an 11-Game Season Ticket Plan. Season ticket plans guarantee you Pacers playoff tickets for every round of the playoffs, including the NBA Finals. The 2013 Pacers Playoffs are proudly presented by Key Bank, Kroger, and Simon Malls.
Learn More »Ron Hoskins - NBAE/Getty Images
The Pacers are back in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2004, thanks largely to the efforts of the starting five. As the Pacers make a title push, we've put together pages for each of the starters to help you get to know them a little better.
Get to Know Your Pacers » Hill » Stephenson » George » West » Hibbert »Ron Hoskins / NBA Getty
Frank Vogel tried to keep it under wraps. But his smile - and David West's blunt acknowledgment - made it clear how the Pacers will defend Chris Bosh tonight when they open the Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat.
Gameday Notebook »
Game 6 Preview
Pacers vs Heat
Saturday Swagger
Game 6 Pregame
IND 79, MIA 90
Miami Leads 3-2
Filling the Air Space
Stephenson, Young
Playoffs Tickets
NBA Finals Registration
Lance Stephenson
Finishing the Product
IND 99, MIA 92
Series Tied 2-2
Pacers Picnic
On the Plaza
King-Sized Task
Stopping LeBron
IND 96, MIA 114
Miami Leads 2-1
Harsh Reality
Game 3 Struggles
Backcourt Duo
Key to Series?
IND 97, MIA 93
Series Tied 1-1
No Celebration
Taking it in Stride
IND 102, MIA 103
Heat Lead 1-0
Season Tickets
Secure Playoff Tix
Game 1 Loss
Can't Close Door
West on Bosh
Gameday Notebook
Eastern Conference Finals: No. 3 Pacers (10-6) vs. No. 1 Heat (10-3), Series tied 2-2
The Pacers and the Miami Heat meet in the playoffs for the second straight year, this time in the Eastern Conference Finals. Last year, Miami defeated the Pacers in six games in the Second Round after the Pacers held a 2-1 series lead. The Pacers and Heat have met one other time in the playoffs—in 2004 during the Second Round. The Pacers won that series 4-2 and went on to the Eastern Conference Finals before bowing to the eventual-champion Detroit Pistons.
Second Round: No. 3 Pacers defeat No. 2 Knicks, 4-2
The Pacers and Knicks have an historically-rich playoff rivalry stemming from the Miller and Ewing eras from 1993-2000. During that time, the teams split victories, with each winning three series. Since then, the two teams had not met postseason until this season. During the 2012-13 season, the Pacers and Knicks split their season series, 2-2, with each team winning both their home games. In the playoff series, Indiana took Game 1 in New York to steal homecourt advantage from the Knicks. After a loss in Game 2, the Pacers returned home where they won back-to-back games at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take a 3-1 lead. George Hill missed Game 5 with a concussion and the Pacers lost, 85-75, at Madison Square Garden. In Game 6, Lance Stephenson broke out with 25 points and 10 rebounds to help the Pacers close out the Knicks at home.
First Round: No. 3 Pacers defeat No. 6 Hawks, 4-2
The Pacers defeated the Atlanta Hawks in the First Round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs, 4 games to 2. The Pacers and Hawks split the first four games with both teams winning each of their games at home. The Pacers then won in commanding fashion in Game 5, 106-83, before closing out the series in Atlanta, 81-73. The Pacers and the Hawks have now faced five times in the playoffs, including three straight seasons from '94-'96. The Pacers won the series in '94 and '95 and both times went on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
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