Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Pacers Avenge Heat

    The Miami Heat began a six-game road string on Tuesday night and had their lowest scoring game this season with a 87-77 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Field House. Miami beat Indiana in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season. The Heat moved to 7-7 on the road as they play four of their next five games in the Pacific Time Zone.
    Dwyane Wade knocked down seven of the first 11 points for Miami(23-10) as they were up 11-10 six minutes in. Both teams stayed very close to each other as neither squad had more than a three-point margin in the first quarter. The Pacers were ahead 20-19 after one quarter.
    Indiana(21-14) scored the first six points of the second quarter, ripped off an 11-3 run and led 31-22 with 7:13 remaining. The Heat outscored the Pacers 14-4 in the final four minutes of the first half thanks to 11 unanswered points and were tied 42-42 at halftime. Wade had 23 points in 18 minutes during the first half of play.
    The Heat began the second half on a 9-2 edge while the Pacers returned the favor with an 23-6 spurt as Indiana led 67-57 after three quarters. The Pacers scored 10 of the first 13 points of the fourth quarter and extended their lead to 77-60 with 8:08 left. Miami did not take the lead in the final quarter as they cut the deficit down to seven points.
    Wade led the charge for the Heat with 30 points and five rebounds in 36 minutes. LeBron James added 22 points and 10 rebounds in 43 minutes of play. It was his 33rd straight game this season with at least 20 points. Chris Bosh banged in 14 points with five rebounds in 36 minutes. The Big Three had 66 of Miami's 77 points in the game.
    The Pacers were led by Paul George with his 10th career double-double of 29 points and 11 rebounds in 44 minutes. David West also contributed a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in 34 minutes. Roy Hibbert had six points and 14 rebounds in 29 minutes of play while Lance Stephenson knocked in 13 points.

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