Indiana ties series at 2-2 with 99-92 win over Miami
For the first few minutes of the game, the Indiana Pacers had the look of a desperate team. The Pacers raced out to an 11-0 start against the Miami Heat, but that lead didn’t last long. By the end of the quarter, Miami trailed by only four and cut that lead to one at the half. But the Pacers didn’t back down and made clutch shots down the stretch, holding on for a 99-92 home win against the favored Heat. After a back and forth game, Indiana used a 16-6 run to pull out the victory.
For Indiana, it was a true team effort. All five starters scored in double figures and the team got a much-needed boost from guard Lance Stephenson. Stephenson, who struggled mightily in Game 3, rebounded for one of his better postseason performances. He had 20 points and five assists, making 60% of his shots from the field. Backcourt mate George Hill added 19 points.
Stephenson’s offensive output wasn’t his only contribution. Guarding LeBron James part of the game, Stephenson did a good job overall as the Heat start went only 8-18 from the field. James had 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the loss.
But while most of Indiana’s team played well, forward Paul George did not. The all-star has been reliable during the playoffs, but had only three points when he was yanked for foul trouble with nearly five minutes left in the second quarter. George struggled most of the night, finishing with only 12 points and five turnovers.
Even without a big night offensively from George, the Pacers’ frontcourt dominated the game. Roy Hibbert again led the team with 23 points and 12 rebounds. And while George struggled on offense, he and David West combined for 20 rebounds. Those three absolutely beat up on the Heat, easily winning the rebounding battle 49-30.
Down the stretch, the game was close. But the Heat were without their James, who fouled out with just under a minute left and Miami down only four. It was the first time in nearly a year that he’s fouled out of a game. Setting a screen, James forced his leg slightly out against the Pacers’ Lance Stephenson, drawing the foul. It was a difficult call to make but James certainly made contact with Stephenson.
One thing to watch is the ankle injury that Chris Bosh sustained. He returned after exiting the game, but wasn’t very effective with only seven points on 1-6 shooting and three rebounds. Afterwards, Bosh said he would play in Game 5, but even if he does, it’s no guarantee the Heat will be able to slow down Hibbert if Bosh isn’t 100 percent.
Writing off the Heat if he can’t play well would be foolish. Miami still has two of the league’s best players in James and Dwyane Wade. Plus, as we saw on Wednesday, Mario Chalmers (who scored 20 points) is a player capable of helping out on the offensive end. And despite Bosh being hobbled, Miami was still right there at the end—but there’s no doubt that the team isn’t nearly as effective without him. Indiana had a field day on the glass and Miami just doesn’t have enough on the inside to be able to counter the Pacers there. To expect Udonis Haslem, Chris Andersen, and Joel Anthony to hold down the fort is probably asking too much.
The series will now move to Miami with Game 5 on Thursday.
