GAME 4: Heat 101, Pacers 93

Just like that, everything seems OK. Amazing what a pair of Hall-of-Fame worthy performances will do to a series.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined to score 70 points on Sunday night in the Heat's critical Game 4 victory. Was it the turning point in the series for the Heat or is this second-round series against the Pacers destined for seven games? This much I know, the Heat will be tough to beat if James and Wade play like that on Tuesday in Miami.

IT WAS OVER WHEN...
LeBron muscled his way for a put-back dunk with 8:12 left in the game. James played with a killer instinct on Sunday that could carry the Heat from the edge of despair back to The Finals. Can he keep it up?

LINE OF THE NIGHT
LeBron James: 40 points, 14 of 27 from the field, 12 of 16 from the three-throw line, 6 offensive rebounds, 12 defensive rebounds, nine assists, two steals, two blocks, five turnovers and a one personal foul. One assist shy of a triple-double. Could someone have helped this man out in the fourth quarter and made a shot!

BACK IN THE PAINT
The Heat scored 50 of its 101 points from the paint, the most allowed by the Pacers in the 2012 postseason. Indiana had 32 points in the paint. The Heat also out-rebounded the Pacers 47-38.

SECOND LINE OF THE NIGHT
Roy Hibbert: 10 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, three turnovers, five personal fouls. Limited by foul trouble, Hibbert was less effective than in Game 3.

THREE-POINT SALVATION
The Heat was 5 of 12 from three-point range, matching its total number of three-point field goals of the last three games.

DOUBLE TROUBLE
James and Wade combined for 19 of the Heat's 29 rebounds and nine of the Heat's 11 assists in the second half.

TRIVIA TIME
Name the Heat player who scored in the second half besides the trio of James, Wade and Udonis Haslem? Answer: Joel Anthony had two points. James, Wade and Haslem accounted for the rest of the Heat's 55 points in the second half.

HOW DID MY KEYS TO VICTORY HOLD UP?
Pretty good, I guess. James had 18 rebounds, or one fewer than his postseason career high. It was definitely one of the differences in the game. The Heat had five three-pointers, which is one fewer than I thought Miami needed. So...that's good. Wade, of course, was no where near average. He had a tremendous game and the Heat won by eight points.

Comments

[andy]

please spo get battier off the court put haslem on west

[WHITE HOT BAHAMIAN]

I like what I saw 2nite . That's the HEAT I know and love. James and Wade were awesome. We shouldn't have 2 b against the ropes for another performance of that magnitude. No retreat no surrender. Let's put the pedal 2 the metal and get 2 the Finals. MORE FIRE MIAMI HEAT.

[cruzer]

No love for UD.

Without his 4th quarter clutch points, we might not be having this conversation.

[taheati]

It wasn't motion offense but as Sam Mitchell (NBATV) noted, there was plenty of offball motion w/ plenty of baseline cuts.

But Spo was reluctant to discuss it (postgame comments). What. Did he think Vogel wouldn't notice?

Vogel noticed (postgame comments). The Pacers will adjust.

So, when they do, should Heat offball players (esp. Wade/James) stop moving when Indy takes away the baseline?

Only if they want to lose.

There are plenty of angles to & thru the paint for offball players to curl or cut.

In fact, if I'm the Heat, I'd AVOID the baseline altogether to start Tue's game just to mess up Pacer expectations. Establish offball movement from other angles early, hopefully with some success, then revisit the baseline later. Coaching preparation to close baseline cuts will be fresh in Pacer minds initially. When the Heat don't attack the baseline to start the game, that prep won't be nearly as fresh when the Heat DO resume baseline movement later on.

===

"Answer: Joel Anthony had two points."

---

Lol. 2 pts = 2 F/Ts. But as Steve Smith insisted, (paraphrased) "only people who really understand the game appreciate all the little things Joel Anthony does for the Heat."'

Yeah "Steve." Heat fans never appreciated Udonis Haslem for all the little things UD did beyond the boxscore, all the little things Haslem did & can still do more often, more consistently, more comprehensivey, more autonomously than "Joel Anthony" ever did. Or does.

[Dashi]

Fire Spoelstra.

This game proves that we are a 2 man team. the best 2 man team in the game. but still u need to use all 5 men in the nba to win a title. He was reluctant to discuss strategy because they're was none. How about grandpa Wade people still want him gone? Wade is Dade. Spo is ???

One series at a time. Let's not even talk finals until we get there. How things have change.

They were a couple no calls on hibbert. Who should be seeing the bench alot earlier if we want a chance to win this series.

there is a moment in the game when the refs call a foul on indy and vogel goes up to the ref punks him. they switch the call indy gets the ball with no foul and change of possesion. Really? C'mon Man

Also No Tec's on West or Granger? Running up on people With Closed Fist? Isn't that a Threat. Forget, that he is not involved in the play at hand but still comes running cross court to chest bump people.

Granger got called for 1 but he did it twice in the same game. Let's not forget he did it in the other 2 games. But if Someone(not the players) doesn't complain to the comissioner about artest jr. running around. He's going to keep doing it until somebody lays him out or he swings at someone. Then u have a real problem Mr. Stern.

The Heat should have a Respect Squad. A Couple guys (Haslem, Turiaf, Pittman and Howard) that come in when the other teams try to injure and fight the superstars. They will command respect on the court. Make sure people play fair but if they want to take it there u can go there. We don't need to be the Bullys Or Celtics. But we shouldn't get punked either.

Haslem should be the 6th or 7th man when bosh is healthy with Anthony Being his back up or ur 2nd Big Off the Bench(I would start Bosh and Pittman. Size problem?). But who makes that decision? Between the 2nd and 3rd PF?

Both are good players but way to undersize to play 7 ft starting C's. they're undersize for PF but not as much thats their natural position.

That was some great coaching in the second half. 2 players score all the points except 8. Just how he drew it up practice. What did they do saturday during practice? They should have took the day off too. Maybe we would have won by 20?

[Grouppz]

Haslem made some really great shots!

[Dom]

Bottom line. Wn series and get bosh back hopefully for east finals. Nice job Lebron. Way to go dwade.

[greg gembe]

Hey Black, you catching any of this? I just had an entertaining 30 minutes getting caught up with the last 3 days of comments. Fun stuff. Just a couple of thoughts from a non-Heat hater:

Anthony with one hell of a game, I don't care what his size is. The block on George's dunk at the rim....incredible!

UD hitting big shots, so Steven A. and Skip can put that 'Bron shouldn't be passing to Haslem at the end of games' arguement right back in your mouff.

James driving to the chest of Hibbert multiple times with no foul called. He'll get those calls on Tuesday, not that NBA refs favour the home team on anything.

Wade with, what, 11 shots in a row? Washed up Diva.

Didn't see any residual from the supposed dust up between SG and Coach - NONE! Well, he are this blog, but not on the court where it matters.

Saw some pretty impressive play calling from Mike Brown, Doc Rivers and Scott Brooks. All three of these cats called isolation plays at the end of the game or quarter, one player at the top of the key dribbling, and everybody else on the wings, clearing out the lane. Boy, I thought only our inept coach would call that play, but apparently EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE LEAGUE RUNS ISOLATION PLAYS FOR THEIR BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER!! Hell, Westbrook dropped like 37 points against the Fakers and he doesn't touch the ball at the end of the game, he's just standing on the wing??? Obviously the GM from OKC should take over this team that doesn't have the respect of the young coach. Oh wait, Durant hit his shot, so it was a great call!

Did the great koME go 2-10 in the fourth quarter and miss a shot at the buzzer? Can't wait to here him get RIPPED in the media.

Where is our Lakers trolls at. They are about to go 1-8 in the second round in the last two years. Looks like the Black Mamba is getting trampled under foot by younger faster ballers. Good bye, good night koME, go quietly into the night now. Ba-bye!

[buxster]

Well said greg!!!!!!!!!

[Dashi]

Mike Brown, Scott Brooks and Doc Rivers should not be mentioned in the same sentence.

Who has a title? U earn some lee-way with that. That's the problem spo has never won anything? Coach of the Year? All-star game coach? Well he won the Heat job. Wish i had tickets to that lottery. Shucks, Oh well buddy.

U can run iso on the last play just not the whole 2nd half. And iso is not having Joel bring his man and set a screen for lebron or wade then leave and they have to deal with a double-team. Cause who is going to be scared of joel. UD maybe? but i would still take my chances.

Joel shouldn't leave the paint. It would help with rebounding position and cause u already put hibbert in the way for lebron and wade. Hibbert doesn't move good side to side. that's why he can't draw a charge to save his life.

People hate charges cause it's not their team doing it. Van Gundy calls it out as a "Knick" announcer cause he's not coaching. But this is the same guy that coached the knicks when they were good defensively doing the same thing. Taught Yao and t-mac how to take a charge 2 guys that hate contact. Had Battier and Howard taking charges on that team to. He was a riley disciple. Orlando takes charges why doesn't he complain? The Bush Rule.( U help family at all cost)

Someone should call him out on being a "KNICKS" Announcer. He still has daddy issues with riley for what he did to him and his brother. But if Riley wants either of them as a coach they won't pass it up.

Who will pass up a chance to be a hall of fame coach? After ur 2nd title that's where ur probably going right? Spo could've been building on a hall of fame resume after this year. Just saying?

But if Spo doesn't speak up for his team and say that they don't flop they just play hard disciplined defense. Call them out on his team getting beat up all the time. He doesn't have to be Ozzie Guillen but show some emotion. It seems like only the fans and the players dont like losing. I learnt that from what wade said post game.

I didn't see anybody talk to spo when they came to the bench? Cause he did his usual walk out aimlessly to the foul line wishing he can play the game look up at the rim. Damn, I wish I was a little bit taller I wish I was a baller. U know Same Sad Song All The Time. What about getting in a officials face after a no call. Motivate Ur Players tell them to bring it in. Not all the time but when they need it.

[greg gembe]

Doc Rivers has won a title, maybe SPO was trying to emulate his play calling.

JA shouldn't leave the paint??? What the? So that would keep Hibbert in the lane also. Really, and SPO can't coach?? That's priceless!

A couple of paragraphs about the Van Gundys. Don't know what that's about and I reread the post a couple of times.

And why are we in such a rush to see SPO get T'd up?? I haven't seen an official reverse a call since the 1972 Olympics, so bitchin' at them ain't helping put points on our board. The Heat players don't need coach to go ballistic for them to KNOW he wants this thing as much as they do.

Phony arguements, water cooler noise, pointless debate.

[jpejeff]

Great win and great weekend! Maybe not for the L A area. There teams lost 4 games in the same building in a 24 hour period. I'm enjoying these so called experts choke on there words. John Barry said the Heat will lose because they just don't have ENOUGH to beat the PACERS. Got to scratch your brain on that one. Skippy on 1st take is a genious. I disagree with everything that comes out of this cat's mouth but will sit there and listen to everything he says. It kills him to give Bron any credit to the point that he sanks deeper and deeper into his stupidity. He makes a living out of saying stupid things. He had to double his salary with all the supid points he made about Bron today. I do give a lot of credit to Spo for temporarily benching Wade. Did not think he had that in him. Good to see Haslem step up. Wade did what he had to..... Never a doubt. Bron stepped up, stepped over and stepped in the Pacers asz. I disagree with the 2 man team remarks.It takes a team to play the type of D that Miami played.

[greg gembe]

"It takes a team to play the type of D that Miami played."

Couldn't agree more Jeff. And I know that neither Curry, Pittman, Turiaf, or Howard are contesting or blocking/altering as many shots as Joel did yesterday. He just has way more athletisism and WILL than those other guys. Bring him off the bench, and if he plays 35 minutes, so be it. We win with him on the court, we proved that last year.

[jpejeff]

I give credit when credit is due. Spo is a great defensive coach. Pacers are only averaging 82 pts a game in there 2 wins against Miami. Miami Defense has not been a problem. I also criticize when something don't look right. Spo has given more of those moments than I care to remember. When things are not going right on the defensive side of the ball, he has no clue on how to will his team to a win. This should not be a problem with the offensive fire power we have. I think a championship team in any sport should be better at D than offense. I would say 60%-40% better. Spo seems to be all in on the Defensive side of the ball.

[Dashi]

Will Doc ever let Allen and Pierce try and do what Lebron and Wade did yesterday? No chance in hell

I know Allen and Pierce are not as great anymore, Or were as good at any point. Not at least next to lebron. Maybe Wade depending on how much U like the Heat?

As soon as Doc put them together he told them Rookie Rondo is the PG deal with it. Yes, Chalmers isn't as good as Rondo physically but he does a couple things better like shooting from anywhere rondo can't. Which is anywhere past 10ft.

Everybody knew their roles since day 1 and it's just go out and work at it everyday to get better. not 140 games in and still trying to figure out how the main peices of the team fit. A Rubix Cube might be easier.

Inept is to big a word for him what about slo'. Spo is Slo

My point with the van gundy's is that he has had more influence on the officiating in this series than spoelstra.

On top of that he is more qualified to lead. Either one and i really don't like them both. I threw a couple other coaches before. Zo for 2012.

It's just i would rather debate with van gundy, than using Tim Ledgler or John Barry as an example or any other Under qualified ESPN Heat Hater. They don't even analyze just blame Lebron for being too good but not good enough to do it by himself. C'mon man.

If u know what is wrong then at least explain how to fix it. Not just say it was wrong even I can do that. But why explain how to fix it when you don't want to see them succeed and reach their goal.

Riley fired Stan while doing a better job. Why demand less now cause lebron is younger than shaq? Or cause Shaq wouldn't allow it. Imagine Shaq with Spoelstra as his coach? Me either. And they call me crazy. Spo would've definitely been gone last year. Lebron is just a softee.

He needs someone who has been there before. Funny, isn't that what riley sold lebron on? I remember him bringing Mourning and 'em to the meeting i don't remember eric being there though.

I don't want him to get a T but at least get close. I heard Granger say at halftime that they know the line and they are going to play physical and try not cross the line but play as close to that line as possible. Well Coaches can debate calls as close to the line as possible. Vogel got a couple his way yesterday and it wasn't 1972.

Get in that A$$. Strike Fear in to somebody. Again he doesn't need to be Bobby Knight Nobody Can. To much Fortitude. But get ur Respect. It's like Rodney Dangerfield is coaching the Miami Heat. No respect

1972 Olympics? classic. I'm sorry I wouldn't be born for another Decade at least. Are we still talking basketball? Did they have internet or color tv back then? Fill me in who won?

[Heatup]

^^^rumblin, bumblin, stumblin...nowhere in your incoherent rant did you make any sense whatsoever.

[Dashi]

Defense is built off effort. That's why Joel is so good at it.

Winning Basketball is Built off points. time of possesion doesn't matter. U know how jordan stopped people on defense by dropping 50 on them. Balance is essential. Lebron Drops 40 and 18 u think granger had time to score.

Now Spo is a great defensive coach really? Cause the Offense side is already a lost cause. got it.

The heat run man-to-man. rarely play zone and got world class athletes erasing errors. Yes joel is a world class athlete too. A good Defensive backup PF Not a C. Can we agree on that?

If he was such a great defensive mind maybe he would know what offense can score on what defense. And Call that offense once in a while? Belichick is a great deffensive mind and look at the patriot Offense.

I know football not basketball but i'm not the one going to chip kelly for basketball advice. At least go to Bill first he has won a couple superbowls.

[greg gembe]

I'm not sure where the Doc Rivers, rookie Rondo, conversation is going. I do know that Doc allows Pierce to dribble the clock out at the end of a period, with shooters on the wing watching, then throw up a 3 at the buzzer. Is that good coaching. Having more than one guy on the court that can dribble and get you into your offense is not a problem, it is an option many coaches would love. Who do you guard now? Do you think predictability is better than having options?

Van Gundy stepped down, was not fired, because he didn't want to deal with Shaq being, well, Shaq. He's a coach killer, especially if you had any idea Shaq would put forth ANY effort on defense. No, not the big League Minimum, nope.

1972 Olympics - USA v USSR (basketball), they played the finish of the game 3 times I believe, because the first two had the USA winning the game. Ask Doug Collins, he was on that squad. And to a man, I think they still haven't picked up their silver medals. That's when we were sending amatuers to battle 30 year old Soviet professionals.

I like both Van Gundys, but they ain't getting the Heat coaching job. And if anyone thinks that Phil Jerkson would ever coach under Riley, you are way off base. Riley's approach to the game and Phil's are about 180 degrees apart. It's the difference between Bill Parcells and Jimmie Johnson, or Bobby Knight and John Calipari, or the difference between how ZO approached the game and how Shaq approached the game.

We'll win some championships in the next few seasons, and it'll be interesting what excuses come from the media and the haters as to how to downplay their success. I'll be here, loving every minute of it.

[The guy who only uses one name- Dashi]

Are we still talikng Basketball?

Or are we mad?

Is that tirade/rant/Speaking the truth Hurting the spo' fans? or the heat fans?

incoherent awwh someone failed their FCAT (I didn't use big words genius and u can read what i'm writing cause i'm typing)

U must be inebriated or dyslexic.

So i will speak in Layman terms for U from now on.

UGA UGA "FIRE SPOELSTRA" UGA UGA

[black the trucker]

Very good win.. Listen, although Bron and Wade had a good game. Everyone has to play with the same sense of urgency. This is the blueprint that we must use to win in game five.. We have to outwork them... ATTACK.. Get their frontline in foul trouble. ATTACK... Dont let them off the hook. Attack.. Another thing I noticed is Bron should go down on the block early. Get them in foul trouble.. We have to win game 5..

[Heatup]

good one Dashi...too bad Riley's in charge instead of you.

[72perfectstill]

Yes
UD helped out hitting four crucial shots

[Dashi]

It's not just me everybody has good points. Even the Spo fans. It's just if we all see it why can't the Heat?

Specially Riley could he be getting old and catching feelings. Say it ain't so Pat. Old Pat would of got rid of Wade and Spo after the season. Doesn't matter if he loves them both its business. Maybe even Bosh. Definitely Miller and Battier.

Rivers does do bone-head plays sometimes. And he did have the first big 3 of this century and only won 1 with them. So he should have been stepped his game up. But i'm not a Celtics fan. Hopefully we see boston and not philly next round. It feels better beating them instead of philly. We can dedicate the run to the finals to larry bird.

1972 Olympics now i get it thanks. I wouldn't pick up that metal either. Doug Collins was on that team. He's a good coach.

I just hope the Heat don't expect to win game 5 playing the same way as game 4. U risk alot with that strategy.
Play team ball on both sides. Not just team defense and a 2-man offense.

Second half as exciting as that was when u look back we can't expect to do that from here on out. It runs out, look at last years run we ran out of hero games in the run to the finals. wasted them all up with Chicago and Boston by the time we got to Dallas they figure'd out how to stop it.

I would never want Phil we will just be letting him Do what he does best. take advantage of the chances he gets to add to his titles. First coach to 20. That's not right.

Plus he doesn't fit. It's either him or riley. I'll stick with Riley the man personifies Miami Heat Basketball. He has built the Heat from the ground up.

That's why i say Zo cause he didn't have shaqs size or talent but he made it work with Smarts and toughness. He use to leave it all on the court. Never questioned the mans effort.

I've heard for a while he sometimes develops the bigs for riley. Look what he has done with UD and Joel's ability. those guys play their hearts out. Pittman is another year away from completing his training. But He has been building him up slowly. Fatboy has lost more than 50 lbs since joining Miami. First get them in shape then on to the skills and defense part.

He should invite Bosh to the Gym to workout in the off-season. So maybe he can make him at least look at the Weights. U lift them things up Bosh and they give u shoulders try it.

[black the trucker]

OK, game 5... Bron, they can not stop you, attack at will from tip to buzzer. Need another big game from you to take control of this series.. Wade, when you come to play, this team looks dynamic.. Stay aggressive.. Attack their asses and get to the line. The jumper was falling in the second half. GOOD.. Stay focused, we need a huge game from you in this one... UD, play with the same passion, your play was huge in winning this game and need you to play a key role throughout the rest of the postseason.. RIO, stay aggressive.. This team is trying to punk us, and take us out of our game.. Take it to them.. While they will try to bully us around the court, we will stay aggressive and out work them.. Joel and Ronny have to be physical with Hibbert.. Take him out of the game mentally.. Same with West... As far as granger, just keep taking him to the hole.. This game will be a fight.. And we have to show up... COME TO PLAY... COME ON... 007..

[greg gembe]

Now we are taking Doc Rivers term 'hero ball' and slapping it on the Heat?

Bron shot 27 times last game, Wade 23. I believe they both averaged around 22-23 shots per game this year. So Wade gets his normal amount of shots up, and Bron gets one extra shot per quarter.

Never been in an NBA locker room pregame stratedgy, but I'm betting SPO - AND STAFF - didn't go in with the vision of LBJ scoring 40 and Wade hitting for 30. But if it happens, isn't that part of the in-game adjustment that we constantly kill SPO for? Let the hot hand keep it going. We didn't shy away from UD when he was scoring in the 4th period, is that good coaching, is that unselfish play by LBJ and Wade, or both?

[greg gembe]

Bosh is noticeably bigger than last year. Looks like he WAS in the gym over the summer. That was easy to notice from the first game of the year. Are we pulling out last years complaints now?

Lookin' for that Black Mamba troll? Where you at, where you at? All that 'size'? All that 'competetiveness'? All that 'swag'? All that 'ability to close'? I can't hear you with all that thunder in my ears.

Lakers = 1-8 in the last two SECOND rounds. Emporer wearing NO clothes these days? The only win outside of the first round this team has won in the last two years, they needed 41 FTM to eek it out. Wow, even the league/officiating couldn't pull their rear out of this fire. NBA officials haven't worked that hard to effect an outcome since Jordan left Chicago to take his 'talents' to DC. Man, I bet the media rode him hard for that decision. How's the Wizards been since that day?

[Dashi]

I think the Lakers over achieved both seasons. THey Suck. any team that has kobe as a leader shouldn't win. Mr. ball hog himself or jordan jr. since he compare himself to him. Phil brain washed that into him and he still believes it.

All the greats don't have comparisons Kareem, Magic, Bird, Jordan, Shaq. Lebron coming soon?

Lebron doesn't hog so hero ball doesn't go with him. Unless he's Captain America saving the Heat. Doc learned the term Hero ball back in 2003 coaching T-mac while up 3-1 and with t-mac avg 35 a game detroit came back and won by stopping everyone else. Which wasn't much since Hill was hurt. Averaging 35-7-8 don't mean nothing if no one else helps. They called it the Jordan rule before then. When Mike didn't have a Coach

I thought refs don't affect the outcome of a game. What i'm saying is use that to our advantage sometime. that's the game within the game. As long as U don't touch them. Spo looks like a nice guy get on their good side. Bring them gatorade during timeouts. Whisper sweet nothings in their ear.

Do something since he won't go Bobby Knight. Grab a replay monitor and throw it to the middle of the court. To prove a point

Bosh should have done more sit-ups. Just kidding we need him for the next round and beyond. He got a little bigger. He should go into the off-season with the same mindset and that he will be next years starting C not PF. Bosh with another 20-30lb.

It's harder to find a C than a PF these days. Bosh is also like 10 yrs younger than garnett. Plus he'll be a Top 5 Center instead of a Top 10 PF. Nobody will have a C with that range and offensive game. Not alot of C can avg 20 and 10.

The heat can fill the PF position with people on the team. U can split time with Haslem & Anthony(they add up to one real good PF together) with Lebron sprinkled in from time to time.

[Dashi]

Heat Path to 100 tonight

Lebron 30
Wade 25
Chalmer 15
Haslem 11
Jones 9
Anthony 4
Cole 4
Turiaf 2
Miller DNP-looks hurt or is that just him
Battier 0- Does all the little things that don't show up on the scorecard. Just stop shooting please. reminds me of Bibby

We don't need 100 to win tonight but it will be nice to blow out the Pacers.