Is it time to panic? Are you nervous yet?
The Heat's 78-75 loss to the Pacers on Tuesday was Miami's first home playoff loss since the 2011 NBA Finals. It also was the Heat's first game without Chris Bosh in the lineup. While Dwyane Wade said playing without Bosh wasn't the difference in winning and losing in Game 2, it sure didn't help not having Bosh in the lineup.
Consider this: Udonis Haslem, Ronny Turiaf and Joel Anthony combined for seven points in Game 2. Yep, I'd say not having Bosh was a pretty big deal.
Another thing to ponder: Why can't the Heat make three-point shots anymore? The Heat was 1 of 16 from three-point range in Game 2 after going 0 of 6 in Game 1.
IT WAS OVER WHEN...
Mario Chalmers missed a contested three-pointer at the buzzer. After the game, Chalmers said he was fouled in the act of shooting. Hopefully he won't be fined for criticizing officials.
LEBRON TIRED?
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra suggested that fatigue contributed to LeBron James' missed free throws late in the fourth quarter. James missed a pair of free throws with 54.3 seconds left that could have given the Heat a one-point lead. James said after the game that fatigue wasn't an issue and that he just needed to make his free throws in Game 3.
WADE'S TEMPORARY INSANITY
Wade was a man possessed in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of the Heat's 23 points. In no one way did Wade cost the Heat the game with his flagrant foul on Darren Collision. But, still. You'd think Wade has enough experience in the playoffs at this point to keep a level head when he's not getting calls.
OF NOTE
Tuesday's loss snapped a 13-game postseason home-winning streak against Eastern Conference teams for the Heat.
How could we have a 13 game winning streak with when we lost at home in the finals
Posted by: 72perfectstill | Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 11:52 PM
To Eastern Conference teams. Sorry for the confusion.
Posted by: Joe | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 12:11 AM
Wade and Bron need to play nicer with their teammates. The Hero ball will not cut it against the Pacers nor the Celtics.
Posted by: miaheatblog.com | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 01:03 AM
LeBron & Wade played well...but not well enough due to NOBODY else showing up. Chalmers, Haslem, Miller, & Jones did absolutely nothing. Joel & Turiaf hustled and Cole contributed (yeah ...did you see that Ira ?)but SOMEBODY other than LeBron & Wade will need to step up. Chalmers needs to stop his yapping and reaching on D or else give Cole his minutes. Maybe give Pittman some minutes to bang inside.
We've all known this team had major flaws especially inside... so don't be surprised with the outcome. This Heat season is already on the platter...so somebody needs to step into their big-boy pants.
Posted by: RP | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 06:56 AM
Totally disgusted with the effort last night. How many points did Wade cost the team by not complaining about fouls and not going back on Defense? How many passes did he throw away that led to fast break points? Funniest stat of the night is how the team is 14-3 without him this year. Bosh is needed to win the championship. No doubt about that. Going to have a hard time winning this series without him. Really hard time. Indiana has a nice team and if West and Granger are hitting shots. Look out. Can Lebron and Wade PLEASE learn how to shoot free throws!!! The clanging off the back rim is getting old. Put some arc on the ball!!!
Posted by: heatfan | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 07:49 AM
Can we please stop all the premature talk about playing the Celtics now? Pacers in 7.
Posted by: Marshall | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 08:28 AM
And Joe, it was over much earlier than the last shot of the game. In fact, they were lucky at that point to have not been down double digits.
Posted by: Marshall | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 08:31 AM
Here is the real story, Heat with two players in double figures in scoring and Indiana will all five starters in double figures. Does Indiana's balanced scoring beat Miami's two headed monster... we will see
Posted by: Michael | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 09:01 AM
WOW, Marshall, you back again???
Posted by: black the trucker | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 10:29 AM
I think we really have our work cut out for us in this series... But we will still win it...
Posted by: black the trucker | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 10:31 AM
Haslem needs to sit period, he doesnt bring anything to the game. Hibbert neutralizes him just with his height. Joel played 35 min last night and had 0 pts, YES 0 pts. Spo so clueless he'll stick with the same players and its obvious they have no impact on the game. throw Pittman in to bang around Hibbert, SMH gotta play better...
Posted by: Spiderman | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Heatfan, I don't see Granger getting the best of LeBron every game. Tuesday was probably Granger' best game against LeBron in his entire career. As for West, he's going to be a problem.
Posted by: Joe | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 10:53 AM
It's been so obvious for the past 2 years that the HEAT needs inside scoring. Thus the reason for bringing in Eddy Curry. Yes he is a project and was supposed to be ready by mid season in hopes of providing help in the play-offs. What happened to totally abandom Curry? He sure could help if he is healthy!
Posted by: ARay | Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 11:17 AM