The Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers will meet for the second-consecutive year in the NBA Playoffs but this time, a trip to the Finals will be on the line.
Indiana battled Miami before falling in 6 games during last season's Eastern Conference semifinals and coming off a 6-game defeat of the New York Knicks, Indiana is certainly capable of giving the defending champion Heat a run for their money once again.
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Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals will tip on Wednesday, May 22nd at 8:30pm, EDT. Coverage will be provided by the TNT television network and The Sports Network.
While the Pacers were disposing of the Knicks, Miami looked dominant in their semifinal series against the Chicago Bulls.
After dropping Game 1 by 7 points during the last round, the Heat took control of the Bulls, slowing down their leading scorer Nate Robinson while limiting Chicago's ability to score in the paint with premier players Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah.
Heading back to the Conference Finals for the fifth time in his illustrious career, Miami guard Dwayne Wade is happy his team continues to play at a high level but knows the job is certainly not done.
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"I know I'm blessed to be going to the Eastern Conference finals for my fifth time," Wade said to NBA.com reporters. "But I would like a lot more in my career. It's a good thing. We've been very successful in my tenure here. But I want more."
Indiana will be busy trying to contain Wade and league MVP LeBron James when the series begins Wednesday night. In 9 postseason contests, James is averaging 24 points, over 7 rebounds and 7 assists, a stat line that won't shock anyone considering the 28-year-old superstar is widely considered the best player in the game.
Miami undoubtedly has reliable scorers but the Pacers counter will some star power of their own.
A majority of Indiana's success focuses around rising star Paul George. Coming off a strong performance in the East semis where he posted an average of over 19 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Pacers head coach Frank Vogel knows the 23-year-old will have his work cut out for him when he's matched up with LeBron.
"James is the best offensive player in the world," Vogel said to the Miami Herald. "Paul just has to do the best he can like he did on Carmelo. Carmelo went off a few times and LeBron is going to have some moments where he goes off. Paul needs to try and compete and do the best he can without fouling James. We do not want to put these guys at the free-throw line."
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Miami is shooting 75% from the free throw line as a team this postseason so keeping them out of the paint and off the charity stripe will be a major defensive focus for Vogel and the Pacers as the series progresses.
Indiana hung tough with the eventual champs a year ago in the postseason and having won 2 of the 3 regular season meetings with Miami in 2013, Indiana knows they're capable of playing with the explosive Heat.
Be sure to watch the series opening game of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday, May 22nd. Tip time is set for 8:30pm, EDT with coverage available through the TNT television network and The Sports Network.
WATCH Highlights From Miami's 105-91 Victory On March 10th Over Indiana:
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