Eastern Conference Finals: Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat Game 2
Game 2: Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat Fri. May 24, 2013 8:30 p.m. ET
The defending NBA champion Miami Heat were able to take down the visiting Indiana Pacers in Game 1 after a thrilling finish and a game-winning layup by four-time NBA MVP LeBron James. Although the Pacers took the Heat the distance by forcing overtime, Miami proved to be the better team in Game 1 and as a result are three wins away from returning to the NBA Finals for a third straight year.
One of the most surprising performances in Game 1 was All-Star Paul George stepping up once called upon. George hit the game-tying three-pointer in regulation to force overtime and keep the Pacers alive for another five minutes on the floor.
Coming into the Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat were the clear favorites in Las Vegas odds to win the series and to advance to the Finals as a result. Although Miami is the favorite sand proved to be resilient in overtime in Game 1, Indiana showed they can hang with the defending champs and won’t be going down without a fight.
Heading into Game 2, the Heat are favored by a considerable margin once again with a -7 1/2 point spread in their favor. There’s no question the Heat are the best all-around team left in the postseason and are arguably the team to beat moving forward, but the Pacers continue to be underestimated and as a result are considered the underdogs almost every game in the postseason.
In my opinion, Roy Hibbert and company will put up another tough fight in Game 2 while potentially tying up the series at one game apiece. The Pacers will more than likely put up more of a challenge in Game 2 in terms of keeping it close against Erik Spoelstra’s squad on Friday night in Miami.