Playoff Central 2013
Mike Ehrmann - NBAE/Getty Images
Ron Hoskins - NBAE/Getty Images
Over in the corner of the Pacers' locker room, while the players offered their postmortems on the season that had just ended with a Game 7 loss to Miami, Danny Granger was suddenly talking. Talking optimistically, and at length, about next season.
Read More » See Also:
Shaw Reportedly in Mix » Ron Hoskins - NBAE/Getty Images
David West was contagious. That was a bad thing. And a good thing, too. Reeling from a temperature that surpassed 100 degrees in the morning, his voice clearly affected by his clogged head, West willed the Pacers to a victory in the franchise's biggest game in at least nine years.
Read More » Late Call Goes Pacers' Way » Roy Hibbert Statement »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 »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 »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 »
IND 76, MIA 99
Heat Win 4-3
Taking Stock
Season Review
Danny Granger
Looks Forward
David West
Wills Pacers to Win
IND 91, MIA 77
Series Tied 3-3
IND 79, MIA 90
Miami Leads 3-2
Filling the Air Space
Stephenson, Young
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. 1 Heat defeat No. 3 Pacers, 4-3
The Pacers and the Miami Heat met in the playoffs for the second straight year, this time in the Eastern Conference Finals. The series proved to be thrilling from the start. In Game 1, Paul George hit a deep 3-pointer to force overtime, where LeBron James scored a layup at the buzzer to lift Miami to a one-point win. The Pacers responded in Game 2, shocking the Heat on their home floor, 97-93. Miami wrestled homecourt advantage back in Game 3 with a commanding win, but Indiana took Game 4 to even the series. In Games 5 and 6, the home team used a strong third quarter to pull away for a victory. In Game 7, Miami outscored the Pacers 33-16 in the second quarter and ultimately advanced to their third Finals in as many years.
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.
NBA.com is part of Turner Sports Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.
