Game Thread: Eastern Conference Finals: Miami Heat VS Indiana Pacers

[boogiewithstu2007]

Heat will go back to their original lineup with UD as the 4. Oden may be dust off in this series if UD struggles with Hibbert

I think Miami got Oden specifically to face Indiana because they've struggled vs Hibbert a bit in series past... Miami will find a way although.... I think it will be a dogfight of a series... Indiana is a tough matchup for Miami... I still think Miami gets it done though.

 

[Kold]

From an effort standpoint....call me crazy, but I have WAY more confidence that Indy will give a better effort playing Miami, than the rest of the Eastern Conference. The way I see it, they're gonna look up and see Lebron, Wade, and Bosh, and it'll be GAME ON. The games they lose, will be because of practical reasons, not because they just completely vanished, but that's just my opinion. It's gonna be a long series...but I chose Indy in the preseason, and I'm going to HESITANTLY stick with it. I surely don't have as much confidence as I did in the preseason, but I'll go Indy in 7

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

From an effort standpoint....call me crazy, but I have WAY more confidence that Indy will give a better effort playing Miami, than the rest of the Eastern Conference. The way I see it, they're gonna look up and see Lebron, Wade, and Bosh, and it'll be GAME ON. The games they lose, will be because of practical reasons, not because they just completely vanished, but that's just my opinion. It's gonna be a long series...but I chose Indy in the preseason, and I'm going to HESITANTLY stick with it. I surely don't have as much confidence as I did in the preseason, but I'll go Indy in 7

I hear ya... If any team in the East can beat Miami it's definitely Indiana just from a matchup-up standpoint.

 

[gordontrue]

It doesn't matter which Indy team shows up, unless you're talking about series length.

I expect these teams to bring out the best in each other and that's bad news for the Pacers.

 

[BOTSLAYER]

BUILT NOT BOUGHT!!!

LOL that's cute...how would a Pacer owner know?

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

It doesn't matter which Indy team shows up, unless you're talking about series length.

I expect these teams to bring out the best in each other and that's bad news for the Pacers.

These teams definitely knew this was coming.... I'm glad it's in the East finals to just add to the drama of it all... This series will go 6 or 7 games.... Gonna be a grind-out. Miami does overall have the edge though.. Pacers will have to bring something special to get over the hump... Miami won't crack that's for sure... Very battle tested.

 

[lakersrule]

Heat in 6. I don't trust the Pacers lack of consistency to overcome the Heat.

 

[lakersrule]

Heat will go back to their original lineup with UD as the 4. Oden may be dust off in this series if UD struggles with Hibbert

I think UD guards Hibbert better. He's able to use his leverage to push Hibbert away from the basket.

Didn't Oden start against Hibbert in their last matchup only to get subbed out early because Hibbert was having his way with him?

 

[gordontrue]

Just checked into Hibbert vs Haslem stats.

All time, Haslem is 17 - 10 vs Hibbert, when they both play at least 1 minute in the same game.
In the playoffs, Haslem has a 7 - 5 edge.

But get this...

In the playoffs, when Haslem plays 18+ minutes, the Heat are 6 - 0 vs the Pacers
In the playoffs, when Haslem plays < 18 minutes, the Heat are 1 - 5

(Only 12 games, because Haslem was suspended for the game 6 series clincher in 2012)

 

[BOTSLAYER]

I hope Spo in all his wisdom of stats has those UD vs Hibbert stats.

 

[TRIPLE 777]

INDIANA'S BUBBLE WILL FNALLY BURST IN THIS SERIES

Heat will go back to their original lineup with UD as the 4. Oden may be dust off in this series if UD struggles with Hibbert

INDIANA's LUCK will finally run out against the HEAT in this SERIES.
I agree Haslem will be a nightmare ON ELM STREET for HIBBERT.
The HEAT WILL TURN UP the SPEED on the Pacers.
THE HEAT WINS GAME 1 and 2 these 2 games will Decide the series...WORD

 

[Flauge]

Give me Miami in 6.

 

[LAKERSUSCBAM]

Itchin to see if they put Oden in there vs. Hibbert....they did pick him up with the intent to have him square off against a true big, right?? So far they haven't played any bigs, unless Lopez was healthy, in the playoffs.

 

[RobToxin]

Heat in 6.

 

[bksballer89]

I hope Spo in all his wisdom of stats has those UD vs Hibbert stats.

The only reason Battier started is because the Nets are extremely small and Udonis wouldn't stand a chance against Joe or Pierce. It's not like he didn't start in the 1st round. Udonis will be starting sunday

 

[bksballer89]

I think UD guards Hibbert better. He's able to use his leverage to push Hibbert away from the basket.

Didn't Oden start against Hibbert in their last matchup only to get subbed out early because Hibbert was having his way with him?

Yep which is why I don't think Oden plays in this series unless a few of the bigs are in foul trouble. I do think they'll have him in uniform

 

[trojanfan12]

Okay, wasn't touching this series, but what the hell? This series will be determined by Hibbert. If the Pacers get "inspired Roy Hibbert" for every game, they will win this series in 7.

Hibbert is the only thing the Heat don't have an answer for and when he's inspired at both ends of the floor, he is too big for the Heat on offense and he turns Lebron and D-Wade into jump shooters on defense.

Spare me the UD will guard him well, Heat fans. The Heat aren't winning the series if they depend on UD to stop Hibbert for 7 games. It's just a bigger, more physical version of CP3 on Durant.

Having said that, if Hibbert has even 1 of his 0 point, 0 rebound, 4 foul "no-show games", the Heat will win the series.

I think Hibbert is good for at least 1 "no-show game" so Heat in 6.

 

[Am I Blue Through it All?]

Well, my son has picked ever series correctly thus far. He has the Heat losing to the Pacers. And then the Pacers getting crushed by the Spurs. Meh, as long as the Heat lose it is all good.

 

[Flauge]

i agree with Trojan to a point. the heat don't have an answer for hibbert when hibbert is playing like he SHOULD. I also agree that hibbert wont play well every game and the heat will win.


but even if hibbert plays well every game and inspired, im not convinced the heat cant overcome it. pacers have no answer for LeBron. hibbert can be controlled when the heat are on offense by simply moving bosh to center and LeBron to power. force hibbert away from the basket.. with bosh at center. he cant guard bosh 18 feet from the basket. everyone knows this, even the pacers.. that's why vogel had him out late game 1 last year.

all in all.. heat more matchup problems than the pacers can handle.

 

[Lone Granger]