Pacers & Heat Rivalry Just Getting Started
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Udonis Haslem insists he meant no harm. The NBA deemed otherwise, and the Miami Heat will be without one of their co-captains when they try to close out the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.
Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between Miami and Indiana was one of the most physical in the 2012 NBA playoffs. But Larry Bird said the Indiana Pacers were "soft" in Game 5 and his team is taking it to heart.
LeBron James scored 40 points, superstar sidekick Dwyane Wade added 30 - 22 in the second half - and Miami's dynamic duo took over after halftime to bring the Heat even the series with a 101-93 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal Sunday.
Refreshed in body and spirit, the Miami Heat returned to practice reunited and refocused.
Roy Hibbert had 19 points and 18 rebounds, George Hill scored 20 and Danny Granger 17 as the Indiana Pacers, showing more balance, toughness and togetherness than Miami, throttled the Heat 94-75 on Thursday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
A few minutes before the Miami-Indiana series begins Sunday afternoon, NBA Commissioner David Stern will hit the court to present Heat forward LeBron James with the league's MVP award for a third time.
The Miami Heat disposed of the New York Knicks easily in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. But the Heat's opponent in the second round looms larger, literally.
Danny Granger scored 25 points to help the Indiana Pacers beat the Miami Heat 105-90 on Monday night.
