It was a rockem sockem blowout.
Hard fouls and a record-setting shooting percentage for the Heat were the takeaways from Game 5, a 32-blowout for the Heat. It was Miami's third-largest margin of victory for a playoff game and the Heat's shooting percentage (61.4) set a franchise record for the postseason.
IT WAS OVER WHEN...
Shane Battier started the fourth quarter off with a three-pointer. It gave the Heat a 12-point lead and the Pacers, playing without Danny Granger and David West at that point, were done. The Heat shot 70.6 percent in the second half and 78.9 percent in the fourth quarter.
HARD FOULS APLENTY
Udonis Haslem, Tyler Hansbrough and Dexter Pittman were each assessed with flagrant fouls. The NBA will review the fouls on Wednesday and then decide if the infractions require suspensions or fines. If both Haslem and Pittman are out for Game 6, then the Heat will be at a clear disadvantage inside.
INJURIES
The injury bug finally caught up to the Pacers with both Danny Granger and David West leaving the game early. Granger injured his left ankle after coming down on LeBron's foot on a three-point attempt. His status is day-to-day, according to coach Frank Vogel. West tweaked his ankle and is probable for Game 6.
THE MVP
LeBron is averaging over 30 points per game in the series. In the last two games, he's had 70 points, 28 rebounds and 17 assists. LeBron has scored at least 30 points in 45 playoff games.
LeBron became the 10th player in NBA history to record at least 2,800 points, 850 rebounds and 700 assists in the postseason. The list includes Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Jerry West, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Magic Johnson, Scottie Pippen and Clyde Drexler. Kobe Bryant and James are future Hall of Famers.
ALASKA NOTES
Mario Chalmers had a career-high 11 rebounds.
WADE IS BACK
Dwyane Wade scored 17 of his 28 points in the second half. He is averaging 22.1 points per game in the postseason. LeBron and Wade have combined to score 128 points in the last two games.
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