Frustration and anxiety might be setting in for the Pacers as they lose a 83-115 blowout against the Miami Heat. It will be interesting to see how this young team will respond on Thursday after such a one sided performance in game 5. The first half wasn’t as disappointing as the Pacers continued to chip away, getting as close as three points. But then the Heat cap off a 9-2 run to end the second quarter with a Lebron James tip-in.
Second half roles around and the nightmare begins. The Pacers only compile 43 points against Miami’s 66, and their best player Danny Granger gets injured with a sprained ankle (who is questionable for game 6). There was no light at the end of the tunnel, only a 250 lbs behemoth with a basketball in his hands going full speed. It was an ugly game, terrible officiating and even worse offense by the Pacers.
Although this series isn’t over yet, the Heat still need to win one more game as the series shifts to Indianapolis. The crowd will be hectic (maybe even stay in their seats for the WHOLE game), and the Pacers will have a better game plan then just dribbling around the perimeter. The series is still up in the air, all the Pacers need to do is forget about this one and move on to the next.
Key Players:
Yay – Roy Hibbert: 8 PTS, 12 REB, 2 PF, 27:37
To be honest, there wasn’t too much of a selection to choose from for Pacer player of the game. No one on the Pacers team was efficient from the floor, nor made much of a difference in the game. Roy Hibbert though was efficient on the defensive end, forcing turnovers and tough shots while clogging up the middle. Hibbert has to strengthen his stamina in order to stay in the game, because without the “Polar Bear”, the Pacers stand no chance against Miami’s firepower.
Nay – George Hill: 6 PTS, 1 AST, 0-5 3PM-A, 28:00
The reason why I pick on George Hill for game 5 is due to his horrible performance to lead the offense. He only had 1 assist…I repeat ONE ASSIST in game 5, which is just unacceptable for a point guard in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Most of the Pacers offense was stagnant, no movement what so ever while the guards dribble far outside the three-point arc. Granted his teammates weren’t helping much, but George Hill has to step up as the leader on the court. There are plenty of leaders on this team, but if there is no point guard to lead the offense, you may as well bend down and take it from behind like the Pacers did today. (That might have been a little too excessive……..Meh)
KEY MOMENT: Danny Granger sprains his ankle after a three-point attempt
After attempting a three pointer over Lebron, Danny Granger lands awkwardly on his right ankle, forcing him to leave the game with an injury. X-rays were negative which is the only good news the Pacers received after a lackluster effort in game 5. With Granger going down, so did the Pacers confidence as the Heat never let up, leading by as much as 37 points. Granger’s injury puts a huge toll on the Pacers bench as they try to find someone to step up with his absence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXQkvUbtld8
KEY STATS:
Yay: 13 Turnovers by the Heat
Nay: 30 – 89 FGM-A = 33.7% from the floor
Quote of the game:
Dwyane Wade on Indiana in game 6 – “Game 6 is going to be physical. We’ve got to understand that this team has a lot of pride. Their crowd is going to be ready. They’re going to come out with a lot of energy. We’ve got to withstand that first hit and still be standing. We’re ready for it.’ (NBA.com)
Next Game:
Thursday May 24th, 8:00PM @Indiana
Series:
Miami leads series 3-2
Notes:
Udonis Haslem’s flagrant 1 on Tyler Hansbrough will be looked at thoroughly to see if the foul will be raised to a flagrant 2. I would be surprised if Udonis doesn’t get suspended for at least one game for that cheap shot.
Late in the fourth, bench warmer Dexter Pittman blatantly elbows Lance Stephenson in the throat after trying to get a rebound. Either the Refs are blind or the Heat are just a dirty team.
“Hi, I’m a Heat fan, I sit in my expensive seats until the end of the third then leave because my team is winning. I guess I’ll just toss my towel because that’s the cool thing to do”. Good job heat fans, standing O.
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