Pacers dominate Heat down stretch, get split in Game 2

For most of the fourth quarter, LeBron James played like a superhero. Then, in the final minute, he handed the game to Indiana with a pair of turnovers. 1369487697

Linda Robertson | In My Opinion

Linda Robertson: Miami Heat’s long-range game missing the mark

The Miami Heat’s three-point shooters have been acting like a dormant volcano. They are bound to erupt, but when? 1369487697
IN MY OPINION

LeBron needs to post ‘help wanted’ sign

LeBron James sported a Nike T-shirt some 90 minutes before Friday night’s game that was plain white but for three small words stamped big and black in block letters: 1369487697
Pacers | The Front Line

Sizable Indiana Pacers exploiting possible Miami Heat weakness

Indiana’s physical front line and strength offensively might just force Miami to rethink some of its strategies from last season. 1369487697
Heat notebook

Paul George: Shane Battier, Norris Cole fouls ‘dirty’

Call it Groin Gate or whatever you wish. 1369487697
IN MY OPINION

Dan Le Batard: LeBron James takes the chaos of victory with an inner calm

Did you notice what LeBron James did as soon as it was over?
Miami Heat

Miami Heat’s Ray Allen going back to work

Ray Allen uses misses like the free throw in Game 1 to motivate him.
Heat notebook

Miami Heat’s Chris Andersen provides scoring lift

In the days leading up to the Eastern Conference finals, Heat big man Chris Andersen worked constantly on spacing the floor inside the paint to provide an extra option for driving teammates.
In My Opinion

Greg Cote: Miami Heat’s Game 1 thriller signals real start of playoffs

This was more like it. Ten games in, the playoffs felt like they started for real for the Heat here Wednesday night. Welcome back, tension and doubt. Good to see you again, major challenge. We missed you, edge of seat.
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS | HEAT 103, PACERS 102 (OT)

LeBron James hits game-winner to give Miami Heat 1-0 series lead over Indiana Pacers

The Heat capitalized on the absence of Roy Hibbert as LeBron James scored on a layup at the buzzer to lift Miami.
In My Opinion

Linda Robertson: Chris Bosh needs to be more than an X-factor for Miami Heat

Chris Bosh predicted his clashes with Indiana center Roy Hibbert, the prototypical 7-2 immovable object, would be pivotal to the fulfillment of the Miami Heat’s Eastern Conference championship aspirations.
Pacers | falling short

Indiana Pacers own glass but fail to finish in stunning loss to Miami Heat

The Pacers did a lot of things right, including outrebounding the Heat, but ultimately they had no answer for LeBron James in Game 1.
Heat | Dwyane Wade

Miami Heat’s hobbled Dwyane Wade makes his presence felt in Game 1

Dwyane Wade’s foul with 2.2 seconds left in overtime was his biggest miscue on a night he made timely plays and scored 19 points.
Heat notebook

Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade acknowledges knee is more painful

Dwyane Wade said before Wednesday’s game that his injured right knee is causing him more pain than the left knee injury that hindered him in last year’s postseason.
Heat vs. Pacers | Frontcourt Matchup

Chris Bosh-Roy Hibbert matchup could decide Heat-Pacers series

The ‘X factor’ in the series might be who wins the battle between Chris Bosh and Roy Hibbert. Bosh, who missed almost all of last year’s Pacers series, will be helped by Udonis Haslem, Shane Battier and Chris ‘Birdman’ A
In My Opinion

Greg Cote: Drama might not be real, but Miami Heat’s dominance is

What happened in the buildup to this Heat-Pacers Eastern Conference final is something you would find at the intersection of Funny and Sad.
Heat vs. Pacers | Hoosier hysteria

Indiana sports fans revved up for action-packed Sunday

Indianapolis will hold the Indy 500 and a Pacers playoff game on the same day for the first time, but excitement has been building since 1994.
Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel

Pacers coach Frank Vogel flip-flops after flap vs. Miami Heat last year

The coach on the other sideline in a playoff series generally doesn’t get under the skin of the opposing team. But Pacers coach Frank Vogel has managed to do it two years in a row — once for reasons not of his doing.
Heat vs. Pacers | Key matchup

Miami Heat guard Norris Cole must disrupt Indiana Pacers guard George Hill

Heat backup point guard Norris Cole’s job is to short-circuit the Pacers’ offense — and George Hill — especially in the fourth quarter.
Indiana Pacers | Paul George

Indiana Pacers’ Paul George embraces larger role

With forward Danny Granger lost for the season, third-year forward Paul George has stepped up as the Pacers’ go-to player.