The Miami Heat won their fourth consecutive Eastern Conference championship with a 117-92 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 on Friday night at American Airlines Arena. The Heat, who wrapped up the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals series 4-2, will play next on the road Thursday night against the winner of the Western Conference finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Miami became the first team to appear in four straight NBA Finals since the Boston Celtics accomplished it from 1984 to 1987. The only other team since 1967 to also pull off that same feat was the Los Angeles Lakers from 1982 until 1985.
The only time Indiana led in the contest was early when they were ahead 9-2 four minutes into the opening quarter. Miami responded with a 22-4 run and had a 24-13 lead after one period. The Heat outscored the Pacers 36-21 in the second quarter and had a 26-point cushion at halftime 60-34.
Miami moved the margin up to 37 points as they extended their lead to 86-49 with 3:39 left in the third quarter on a 19-4 tear. The Pacers trailed 91-58 after three quarters. Indiana was able to chip away at the gap down to 22 points at 97-75 with 5:54 remaining in the final quarter before they pulled their starting lineup.
LeBron James was the focal point for the Heat as he had 25 points and six assists in 32 minutes. Chris Bosh compiled 25 points and eight rebounds while Dwyane Wade added 13 points, six assists and six rebounds. Rashard Lewis dropped in 13 and Chris Andersen fell short of a double-double with nine points and ten rebounds.
Paul George got a team-high 29 points and eight rebounds in 41 minutes for the Pacers. David West scored 16 points and Lance Stephenson popped in 11 points.
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