These Pacers are an incredibly likable team. It's a shame their own city doesn't show them much love. Paul George is just fantastic. George Hill and David West have always been perfect role players -- people you would love to have on your team. Lance Stephenson, I always thought he was a knucklehead dating all the way back to his highschool days, but he has really matured and accepted the roles Vogel has given him. Hibbert is the key to this series. He needs to continue to play like he has in games 1 and 2 for the Pacers to have a fighting chance. He's their one true mismatch. It's a shame he hasn't figured out how to play like this year round, because the tools are there. Overall, I can't help but root for these guys, and not just because they are playing the heat. (I'll never like Hansbrough, though.)
LECHOKE LOL plays like god for 45 minutes and misses an open 3 and 2 turnovers last 3 minutes. If George doesn't make a mistake at end of game one and let lebron shoot that jump shot he would've choked 2 games.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BBVK0CDo8O0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Wade is a punk
Seems like Indy is turning around though, attendance have increased significantly for two years in a row and the team is profitable again this year. The palace brawl, the subsequent years of mediocrity filled with thuggish players on and off the court probably turned off the city
"Uhh it wasn't intentional by Wade. He was just uh...trying to get out of the way or uhh....not trip!" -TNT announcers Damn, they're terrible (If Stephenson did that to Wade - "That's a flagrant and they need to get Stephenson out of here immediately." - TNT announcers)
Wade is a dirty player, always has been. The important question is where are Battier and Ray Allen? They couldn't miss in the regular season now they are non-factors. It's a miracle Miami has even been in these two games. I guess that's all LeBron. If Battier and Ray Allen wake up then it's good night Indiana. If not then Miami may not win another game. But they did punk Indiana on their home court last season so I would say home court isn't a big deal in this series. Miami is undefeated on the road so far in the playoffs.
It's unbelievable. If he even played half as good as he did in the regular season then Miami would be running away with these games. I understand Indiana is a good defensive team but my god, Ray just looks lost out there. Battier also.
And you're a Miami hater. If Ray Allen hits that free throw in game 1 then you aren't saying this. If Bosh hits that three tonight when Miami is up 88-84 you aren't saying that. Either one of these games could have gone either way. No team has dominated. Of course it could be 2-0 Indiana, 2-0 miami, or 1-1 with a flip of a coin. You'll see it how you want to see it and if Ray Allen and Battier can't hit the broad side of a barn then it may very well be Indiana 4-1. If they even hit a few 3 pointers then it will probably be Miami 4-1.
Pacers seems do that to their opposing teams top role players. They are a long and athletic team that rarely doubles, so for the few times the opponent spot up shooters get an open shot they can recover very quickly and still contest the shots. Against the Hawks, Korver shot much worse than regular season. Against the Knicks, we all know what happened to JR Smith. Against Miami, they held Allen scoreless for 2 of the 3 regular season match ups this year and he only shot 25% from 3 for the remaining game.
sometimes you just miss, George Hill is a 81% career free throw shooter and he missed 3 as well. David West is a 83% career free throw shooter and he missed 4 in the last game... it happens
Pacers need to keep going inside regularly. I'm not sure if it was last season or the year before - but they had a 2-1 lead on Miami by pounding the ball inside. When things got tough they stopped going down low and went too much one on one long range ball - and it ended up getting them eliminated. If Indiana can continue to get Hibbert/West a healthy dose of possession down low - they can win this series. Even if it doesn't result in the big man getting a touch - at least use the attention paid to them to your advantage. IE: when Hill used Hibbert as a screen when Haslem fronted him - and got a wide open jumper out of it. Vogel needs to hammer it home to them that Hibbert and West need to be involved nearly every possession.
*Sigh*.... I went to Hangover 3 instead of watching this game....somebody neg rep me. I deserve it...
