102
89
Friday, February 1st at 7:00 PM EST at Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Game Rewind: IND 102, MIA 89
By Scott Agness | February 1, 2013 | Updated 11:05 PM
var switchTo5x=true;stLight.options({publisher:'27ece164-32c3-401c-84c5-129105109cc2'});
Game Recap
With the league’s premier team in town for round two, the Pacers once again rose to the challenge. They hung tough when the game got chippy, defended, and had their most efficient night of the season en route to a 102-89 win over the Miami Heat, the leaders in the East.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra knew it was going to be a physical game. “Pads up, mouthguards in,” he said before the game. And though it was expected, they sure didn’t like it. The Heat spent countless minutes fighting for calls, arguing against others and getting T’d up — four technicals in total. The Pacers kept their poise, and took advantage of the moment.
The opening period was highly contested and full of runs both ways. Miami made seven of their first nine field goals and used a 7-0 spurt to go ahead by four. Paul George showed he was once again up to the challenge against three-time MVP, LeBron James. George drilled a three-pointer in his face, then stepped in front of the passing lane and laid it in for two, part of a 9-0 Pacers run.
The Pacers then got a bit careless, turning it over and firing up a couple of air-balls, which led to eight consecutive points for the Heat. As Miami missed seven shots in a row – five to close the first quarter – the Pacers jumped out to a double-digit lead via a 13-0 run.
The intensity of the game, already at a playoff-level, reached new heights in the second quarter. Players dove for loose balls, contested shots and jawed back and forth. An upset Chris Bosh received a technical foul when he voiced his displeasure after being called for his third personal foul. Meanwhile, tough guy David West scored at will -- 10 of his game-high 30 in the quarter, actually. The Pacers took back the lead for good and went into the locker room up eight.
Out of the break, the Pacers began to pull away by getting stops, controlling the paint and shooting an impressive 65 percent from the floor. While the Heat pled their case to the officials and piled up the technical fouls, the Pacers played with an edge and toughness that kept them in front by double digits. Their maturity and “togetherness” that coach Vogel always underscores stood out.
As the Heat relied on their “big three,” the Pacers played team ball with everyone understanding and contributing in their own way. Sam Young, who had been nursing a sprained ankle and hadn’t played since Jan. 2nd, irritated James with his active hands and defensive intensity. Lance Stephenson has developed into a realistic starter. Yes, he enjoys jabbing with opponents but now he’s backing it up with his play on the floor. And, as usual, Tyler Hansbrough was aggressive and effective while on the floor, scoring 11 points in 12 minutes.
The Pacers’ home success continues as they trump the defending champions for the second-straight time this season, extending their home-winning streak to 13.
Inside the Numbers
David West came within one point of his season-high. He led all scorers with 30 points on 12-of-15 shooting. Paul George, matched up against LeBron, finished with 15 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals. Lance Stephenson scored 15 and George Hill added 12.
LeBron James paced the Heat with 28 points and six rebounds in 42 minutes. Dwyane Wade was held scoreless in the third but ended the night with 17 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Ray Allen was held scoreless for only the third time in his career--twice this year vs. the Pacers. His first was way back in '97--his rookie season.
Holding the Heat to 89 points, the Pacers improved to 22-3 when an opponent finishes under the 90-point threshold.
The Pacers won the rebounding battle, 34-25, and limited the Heat to just six points in transition.
Although Miami has the best record in the East, they’re now just 11-11 on the road.
With wins over New York, Memphis and Miami, the Pacers improve to 3-0 on national TV.
Quoteworthy
"He has a way of giving us contagious confidence. He goes out there and he has that look in his eyes that kind of carries over to everyone else like we’re not going to be beat tonight.” – Frank Vogel on David West
“For anybody to say that playing the Miami Heat is just like playing anybody else — it’s not that way. We want to try and get back at them. They’re the defending champs so if we want to go as deep as we want to go in the playoffs, we’re going to have to go through them.” – Frank Vogel on beating Miami
“I think we’re taking pride in our preparation. We’re able to make some adjustments, showing some maturity in our team, adjusting at halftime. We’re going out on the floor and executing what we’re trying to do…I thought we prepared well for them and really whatever they threw at us, we had an answer for.” – David West
“We really hang our hat on defense and we did a great job of sharing the ball, resulting in shooting 56 percent.” – Paul George
“They played a very good basketball game. They beat us on both ends of the court fair and square…They just played more consistently with more force, more disposition and more consistency.” – Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra
Stat of the Game
Unselfish play and superb ball movement helped the Pacers shoot a season’s-best 56 percent, with 21 assists on 39 field goals.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers have won both meetings this season by double digits.
- Sam Young returned to the Pacers’ lineup for the first time since Jan. 2nd.
- Chris Bosh, Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem, Coach Spoelstra and Pacers forward David West all received technical fouls.
- The Pacers wore their throwback, pinstriped uniforms.
- LeBron James was the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Month for January.
- Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings, Colts linebacker Robert Mathis, Washington Nationals pitcher Drew Storen, and Purdue President Mitch Daniels were among those on hand. Indiana native Corey Cox sang the national anthem.
Up Next
The Pacers begin a trying schedule – the NBA’s only back-to-back-to-back games and four in five nights – on Monday against the Bulls at 7 PM EST.
Broadcast Information | Find Local Listings »
TV: ESPN – Mark Jones (play-by-play), Jon Barry (analyst). FOX Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Brooke Olzendam (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 1070 The Fan – Pacers Radio Network - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Kevin Lee (sideline reporter/host)
