Entering the 2013 NBA Playoffs, most thought the biggest obstacle in the Eastern Conference for the Miami Heat would be the Indiana Pacers, should the two wind up playing one another in the Conference Finals. With Miami ousting the Chicago Bulls and Indiana taking out the New York Knicks in the East semifinals, the match-up was set for two of the best teams in the league to meet once again in the playoffs.
Splitting the first two contests in South Beach, the Heat and Pacers would alternate wins during the next four tilts, with Indiana taking a crucial Game 6 at home to force a decisive Game 7. Utilizing their size and strength advantage over Miami to the best of their abilities, the Indiana Pacers have played strong basketball when needed most and as they head into the Conference finale, Indiana has every reason to believe they're talented enough to take down the defending NBA Champions on their home floor.
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When and Where to Watch Game 7
With the winner advancing to the NBA Finals where they'll meet the San Antonio Spurs, Miami hosts Indiana for a final time as Game 7 is set to tip at 8:30pm, EDT on Monday, June 3rd.
Television coverage will be provided by the TNT television network.
Game 6 Recap
Trailing 3-2 and facing elimination, Indiana needed a big time performance in all phases of the game. Another huge effort from the rising duo of Paul George and Roy Hibbert provided the Pacers with everything they needed in Game 6 as they took down the Heat 91-77, forcing a Game 7 Monday night.
George was nearly unstoppable in 43-plus minutes of action Saturday night, dropping a team-high 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the floor to go along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Providing tremendous support to the team's top offensive threat, Roy Hibbert continued his stellar play this postseason scoring 24 points while grabbing 11 rebounds in over 41 minutes of game action.
While this combo continues to produce, Indiana received a courageous effort from David West as well. Not feeling fully healthy due to nagging injuries, West added 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds as he proved to be a key component in Indiana forcing a Game 7.
"I wasn't 100 percent, but I had to play," West said to NBA reporters after the win. "We've come too far for me not to play. I'm not feeling good right now although this win helps. I'm sure I will be better tomorrow and I'll be ready for Monday." West played nearly 36 minutes in the victory and despite not feeling his best, was still able to knock down 5 of 14 shots while providing the Pacers with much-needed effort and leadership.
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Although he was able to score 29 points, grab 7 rebounds and dish out 6 assists, the effort of LeBron James was simply not enough to send Miami back to the NBA Finals. In 42 game minutes, the 2013 League MVP shot 10-of-21 from the floor and knocked down 7-of-8 from the free throw line but without help from Dwayne Wade (10 points in 34 minutes) and Chris Bosh (5 points, 4 rebounds) James and Miami didn't have an answer for Indiana's consistency on both ends of the floor. Knowing a loss at home on Monday night will end the season in disappointing fashion, LeBron's message to the team was simple.
"Each and every year there are 30 teams that would love to be a part of this, to have one game to advance to the NBA Finals," James said to reporters. "And there's two teams that's in this position. And it's something that you can't substitute, this feeling. You can't substitute the atmosphere that we're going to be in on Monday night for both teams. We should all cherish this moment."
Preview Wrap-Up
LeBron, Bosh and Wade were all members of the Heat team that won the 2012 NBA Championship so you can be sure the trio will cherish this moment heading into Monday night's finale. In order to advance to the Finals however, LeBron will need help from the remaining members of the Miami 'Big 3' and if Bosh and Wade can return to their All-Star form, it could be a long night for the Indiana Pacers.
For Indiana, the play of Hibbert, West and George has been fantastic all postseason and another strong performance from the trio may be enough to get the job done, assuming Indiana is once again able to limit the output of Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade like they've done throughout this series.
No matter the outcome, expect a physical Game 7 to take place Monday night in South Beach as the Miami Heat host the Indiana Pacers, with the winner advancing to the NBA Finals.
Tip time is set for 8:30pm, EDT with television coverage available through the TNT network.
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