Order Restored for Defending Champs: Miami Heat Take Game 2 Over Indiana Pacers, East Finals Tied at 1-1
Miami Heat 87, Indiana Pacers 83
After doubts were cast on the two-time defending champions to get back to the NBA Finals, order is restored in Miami after LeBron James and Dwyane Wade willed the Miami Heat to a stirring 87-83 victory in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Trailing 72-75 with 5:33 to go in the payoff period, James and Wade took over down the stretch unleashing a 10-0 outburst to grab the commanding 82-75 advantage with just less than two minutes to go in the game.
The Pacers, never recovered to lose homecourt advantage in this best-of-seven affair.
James and Wade combined for 55 points and the duo was efficient from the field shooting 19-of-34 from the floor. As a team, Heat shot over 50 per cent for the second straight game. Meanwhile, Indiana couldn’t sustain their hot start in the series making just 32-of-80 shots (40%). The Pacers shot 51.5 per cent from the field in their 107-96 victory in Game 1.
The third wheel of the Heat's trio, Chris Bosh had another so-so outing with just 9 points and 6 boards. But the Heat’s reserves outscored the Pacers’, 20-9 in this low scoring affair. Back-up point guard Norris Cole made key contributions and hustle plays and ended up with 11 points perfect 2-of-2 from the three-point line.
Like in Game 1, all Pacers starters finished in double-figure scoring. This time however David West (5-of-16 FG) and Paul George (4-of-16 FG) struggled from the floor for 10 and 14 points, respectively. Lance Stephenson continued his good play with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.
The teams get a long break after this game and series shifts to Miami for Game 3 set on Saturday (Sunday morning Australia).