Heat vs Pacers: Pregame chatter
Jun 3, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) drives to the basket defended by Indiana Pacers small forward Paul George (24) in the third quarter during game 7 of the 2013 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell- USA TODAY Sports
In the Sir Charles in Charge game of the week, the Miami Heat take a little trip down memory lane and face the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse — for old times’ sake.
As most of you remember, the Heat knocked off the Pacers in a game 7 to reach last year’s NBA Finals, before ultimately winning the NBA Finals. The Heat has eliminated Indiana out of the playoffs two years in a row. Obviously, that’s still fresh on the mind of the Pacers.
The pregame chatter between the team’s at this morning’s shootaround was at an Eastern Conference Finals level. Here are the highlights:
Ken Mauer, Nick Buchert, Sean Corbin your referees for tonight's Heat-Pacers, 7 p.m., Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Sun Sports, NBA TV).
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) December 10, 2013
Paul George starts up the festivities:
Paul George to IndyStar: "The only thing (Heat's) got up against us is the hardware."
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) December 10, 2013
Rivalry, what rivalry?
Roy Hibbert: "I enjoy tough games. I don't really see a rivalry, playing a team twice in playoffs. It will be a while before I say rivalry."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
The 18-3 team wants you to know that they’re evenly matched with the 16-5 team:
Paul George: "We don't feel this team is far is better than us. We feel we match up even."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
Greg Oden?
Roy Hibbert says he wouldn't be surprised if Greg Oden plays tonight.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
Not just your ordinary game is the theme in the Pacers locker room:
Roy Hibbert: "I'm pretty amped up about this game. I wouldn't say just another game."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
George has had Miami on his mind:
Paul George acknowledges when he was working out in the summer, Miami was on his mind. "That was my whole mindset, getting better for them."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
Reflecting on how close the Pacers came to making the Finals:
PAUL GEORGE: “We were one or two possessions away” from The Finals.
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) December 10, 2013
The Pacers regular season goal is clear:
Frank Vogel: "We've stated our goal as trying to earn the No. 1 seed."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
It is amazing to me how much the Pacers are targeting top seed, while Heat really don't care about it.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
Apparently, this is a championship game:
Lance Stephenson: "This is definitely the team that we focus on. We're taking this as a championship game."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
David West is awesome:
David West walks through throng of reporters on way out of arena, says: "Damn, Miami must be here."
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) December 10, 2013
Chris Bosh on the difference of mindsets between the Pacers and Heat:
Chris Bosh: "They are chomping at the bit. They want the playoffs to start now... We want to be a different team 3 months from now."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
More Bosh:
Bosh: "No, it's not a championship game. It's like the 20th game of the season. It's tough to play like there's no tomorrow when there is."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
So when did you circle this game on the calendar, Bosh?
When did Chris Bosh circle this game on calendar? "Yesterday."
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) December 10, 2013
Spo on if the Pacers are better this season:
I asked Spoelstra if the Pacers were better this year: "That remains to be seen. It's a long season."
— Joseph Goodman, Sports Enthusiast 🎟🍺 (@JoeGoodmanJr) December 10, 2013
Last note: Dwyane Wade did not participate in shootaround, but is expected to play tonight against the Pacers.