Eastern Conference Finals: Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers Game 6
Game 6: Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers Sat. June 1, 2013 8:30 p.m. ET
The defending NBA champion Miami Heat are one game away from heading to the NBA Finals for a third consecutive season. LeBron James and company were able to hold off the defensive-minded Indiana Pacers in Game 5 in order to take the series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, 3-2.
With the season on the line heading into Game 6 back at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, the Pacers will be bringing everything they have in order to avoid elimination on their home floor. Indiana has been one of the best home teams in the regular season and throughout the postseason, but the Heat have begun to hit their stride and may very well punch their ticket to the Finals on Saturday.
There’s no question at this point in time that LeBron is the best all-around player in the league and may very well go down as the greatest player ever to play the game. Although this appears to be the case, LeBron cannot do it all on his own with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh struggling.
If two of the Big 3 continue to struggle in this series, the Heat may be in trouble moving forward as the team tries to fend off a hungry and capable Pacers squad.
The key to victory for the Pacers will be the play of Paul George, Roy Hibbert and David West. All three players have stepped up their game in the East Finals and will be called upon to do so once again in Game 6.
Although the Heat remain the favorites to advance to the Finals once again in Las Vegas odds, Miami will be faced with the toughest challenge of the season on Saturday and I believe they’ll be headed back to South Beach for Game 7 as a result.