2013 Eastern Finals: Miami Heat (1) vs. Indiana Pacers (3)

[benji]

The Miami Heat have some famous players like Ray Allen, Chris Andersen, Shane Battier, Juwan Howard, Rashard Lewis and Mike Miller.

The Indiana Pacers have the leagues best defense anchored by players such as Roy Hibbert, Paul George, David West, George Hill and Lance Stephenson.

[hova-]

If there is a team in the East that can beat the Heat, it's the Pacers: West and Hibbert downlow and one of the best perimetre defenders in George. I am not sure what to vote for, but I hope Pacers can make it in 6.

[_Steve_]

Pacers in 7. This will give LeBron the chance of ultimately choking in front of his home crowd...

[RedPhazon8]

Pacers get a second chance, good luck...

[shadowgrin]

Finally, a playoffs thread created by a real man that gives its readers and posters the proper dignity they deserve,

I am not sure what to vote for

Ron Paul people. Ron Paul!

[NovU]

MIA IND series was really really fun last year. And I expect the same this time around. Both teams seem to have improved since then too. But I will go with better balanced Heat to beat the defense first Pacers in 5.

The Miami Heat have some famous players like Ray Allen, Chris Andersen, Shane Battier, Juwan Howard, Rashard Lewis and Mike Miller.

Sigh... you left out Jarvis Varnado.

[Andrew]

I agree that the Pacers are the Eastern team with the best shot of beating the Heat, so it's nice to see them get through and face them in the Eastern Conference Finals; it should make for a good series. I don't think it's going to happen though, the Heat are just too good this year. I can see the Pacers taking a couple of games, but I'm going with Miami in six.

[NovU]

I always thought the Pacers were the biggest threat out of East to the Heat too. Next being the Celtics, and the Bulls. I am probably not paying not enough respect to the Knicks(or even the Nets) but there's something about physicality and defense of those teams that irks me. The Heat struggled against the Pacers without Bosh last season. Now we're going into the series with injured Wade. I'm worried how that will affect the series.

[Mandich]

Knicks don't deserve respect to be consider a title contender. You like by the J, you die by the J. Lets see a small market team final, go Pacers!

[werewolf914]

Pacer in 7 if they could take Heat for that long. LBJ and Wade could be wear down through much with their intense D they facing and lose their control. Anything less than 7 games, Heat will take it.

[NovU]

Since everyone loves a heated series with emotions invested. Here's something we can chew on.

A year ago, on the eve of playing the Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals:
Frank Vogel: "They are the biggest flopping team in the NBA."
Erik Spoelstra: "I could careless."

Following the Pacers' 106-99 victory Saturday night over the New York Knicks, Vogel, with his daughters by his side, seemingly offered an innocuous comment.

Frank Vogel: "Oh, it's exciting. But this is not about getting back at Miami. You're in the final four, you're competing for a championship, you're competing for a championship. And they're just the next team that's in our way. And that's how we're approaching it." ("just the next team" element of Vogel's comment was accentuated)

LeBron James: "We're not just another team,I don't understand what he's saying. But we're not just another team. It's not true. He said we're just another team in their way. We're not just another team. We're a great team. We're very confident. We'll be ready for them. But if we're just another team, you really don't prepare for just another team. We're not just another team. You've got to be prepared for us.

Shane Battier: "We're just another team, one of 30, lucky to be playing in the National Basketball Association and going for a championship," he said in a dry, almost sarcastic, tone.

Dwyane Wade: "Sometimes teams try to use that, seeing if they can get in your head, as well, seeing if being physical or doing certain things can get in your head."
Of the Pacers taking that approach a year ago, Wade said, "I thought we did a good job of just continuing to play. We've got a goal in mind, and it wasn't for no one to get in our way. So, if we react to something that they did, then they win. I think we did a good job of staying the course."

Wade talking so cool about last season's series against the Pacers how he kept his head cool. Love it.

[Dc311]

As much as I would love for the Pacers to win this series,I had to vote for Ron Paul.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Pacers in 7. And yes, I was jinx posting. Of course Heat...in 6.

And why didn't NovU make a thread? shadowgrin finally got in his head? LOL. No offense to benji.

[Martti.]

Will be tough, LeBron seems very motivated which is good, I'll say Heat in 6.

[Jackal]

Pacers in 7 I think, depends on George's ability to handle James & West/Hibbert's inside play.

[shadowgrin]

As much as I would love for the Pacers to win this series,I had to vote for Ron Paul.

[NovU]

And why didn't NovU make a thread? shadowgrin finally got in his head? LOL. No offense to benji.

benji is great at this, like JR Smith, or Jamal Crawford. He always was. I can't do everything by myself in this league. I need help.

Why don't you make the next one. People should be encouraged to make threads.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Cool, I will if that's okay with folks.

[NovU]

Cool, benji's my Pippen but you can be my Kukoc.

[benji]

Hey. I waited a long time, Lamrock used to have these threads up instantly. Andrew used to put them up decently because of his time difference from the proper time zone.

We trusted you this year NovU, we fucked up. First the poll options, now this.

Shame about what has to happen to Miami because of this.

[Andrew]

Nothing's happening to Miami, I'm afraid. I picked them to sweep the Bucks and beat the Bulls in five and that's exactly what transpired. Their evil powers are greater than mine.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Evil Powers, all right. Or more like Anti-Jinx powers

[shadowgrin]

Why did the WCF already have 2 games played while the ECF hasn't even started yet?
David Stern helping the cHeat again by giving Wade more rest time.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Why did the WCF already have 2 games played while the ECF hasn't even started yet?
David Stern helping the cHeat again by giving Wade more rest time.

If Spurs crush Griz 4-0 & Heat go to 7 against Pacers, they won't be getting that much rest now, will they? And if you refer to the Bucks series, rest didn't do Heat any good but only caused them to lose the first game against Bulls. And DWade don't need any rest, he is back already after that Game 5

[shadowgrin]

If? if?

Like I said before, I don't dwell on speculation and hate facts like what Heat fans do.