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MVP James lifts Heat over Pacers
Source: AFP |
June 1, 2013, Saturday
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LEBRON James scored 16 of his 30 points in a pivotal third quarter on Thursday to lead the Miami Heat to a 90-79 victory over Indiana and to within one win of returning to the National Basketball Association finals.
The reigning champions Heat took a 3-2 lead over the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
The winner of the series will face Western Conference champion San Antonio in the league's title series starting on June 6.
Trailing 40-44 at halftime, the Heat out-scored Indiana 30-13 in a third quarter that may prove to be the difference in what has been a close, physical and sometimes testy series.
Fittingly it was James, who recently collected the fourth regular-season Most Valuable Player award of his career, leading the charge. He single-handedly out-scored the Pacers by three points and also handed out four assists of his six assists and grabbed four of his eight rebounds.
"That's LeBron showing his greatness, and making it look easy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "His engine in that third quarter was just incredible.
"He was tireless. He was making plays on both ends of the court, rebounding, covering so much ground defensively and making virtually every play for us offensively."
Udonis Haslem delivered a key effort for Miami, scoring 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Mario Chalmers scored 12 for the Heat, who forced 18 turnovers to help make up for a quiet night for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the duo totalling just 17 points.
Paul George scored 27 points with 11 rebounds and five assists to lead the Pacers.
"Our backs are up against the wall again," said Pacers coach Frank Vogel, whose team fell in six games to the Heat in last year's conference semifinals.
The reigning champions Heat took a 3-2 lead over the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
The winner of the series will face Western Conference champion San Antonio in the league's title series starting on June 6.
Trailing 40-44 at halftime, the Heat out-scored Indiana 30-13 in a third quarter that may prove to be the difference in what has been a close, physical and sometimes testy series.
Fittingly it was James, who recently collected the fourth regular-season Most Valuable Player award of his career, leading the charge. He single-handedly out-scored the Pacers by three points and also handed out four assists of his six assists and grabbed four of his eight rebounds.
"That's LeBron showing his greatness, and making it look easy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "His engine in that third quarter was just incredible.
"He was tireless. He was making plays on both ends of the court, rebounding, covering so much ground defensively and making virtually every play for us offensively."
Udonis Haslem delivered a key effort for Miami, scoring 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Mario Chalmers scored 12 for the Heat, who forced 18 turnovers to help make up for a quiet night for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the duo totalling just 17 points.
Paul George scored 27 points with 11 rebounds and five assists to lead the Pacers.
"Our backs are up against the wall again," said Pacers coach Frank Vogel, whose team fell in six games to the Heat in last year's conference semifinals.
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