Conference Finals Predictions thread- (1) Miami Heat vs (3) Indiana Pacers

[Leftimage]

If Wade is still busted up, Bosh still underperforming (will be defended by superior players in West and Hibbert compared to Boozer) ... LeBron will surely have to do better than he did v.s. Jimmy Butler. 23 ppg on 43% is not going to cut it being guarded by Paul George and that quality Indiana defense.

The Heat only had two out of 5 matchups that were remotely close against the Bulls.... other three games were pretty much blowouts. If his team is more extensively challenged vs the Pacers then you will see bigger numbers.

[All Net]

The Heat only had two out of 5 matchups that were remotely close against the Bulls.... other three games were pretty much blowouts. If his team is more extensively challenged vs the Pacers then you will see bigger numbers.

For sure, Miami will only be better going forward.

[GrapeApe]

The Pacers need to win one of the first two in Miami to have chance. If Miami goes up 2-0 I don't think the series goes more than 5 games. Another thing to consider, to win the series the Pacers would have to either beat Miami twice in a row at some point (unlikely) OR win 3 times in Miami (less likely).

Of course the latter scenarios I mentioned are true of any team without HCA in a playoff series, but it just puts perspective on how difficult it will be to win a series against a team that has only lost 3 games in 3 months.

[ReturnofJPR]

I'd take Tyler Hansborough over Chris Andersen and Udonis Haslem any day and twice on Sunday. I'd take David West, this year in his contract year, look at the #s over Bosh. Plus, West is a PF who is tough & physical unlike Christina. Plus, West actually has a post up game and isn't purely a jump shooting big man. The trifecta is Roy Hibbert over any buster the cHEAT have down low.

It's going to be a great series!

[TheBigVeto]

Heat will win.

[Sakkreth]

Tough one, either Miami in 5 or Heat in 6.

[NumberSix]

Miami in 7

[Fudge]

Miami in 7. Gonna be a great series though. Everybody on that Pacers team has improved, or has taken their game to a new level. Maybe not in the regular season, but Hibbert's been tearing assholes up lately.

[305Baller]

Sun Sentinel:
It comes down to this: The Heat have added Ray Allen, Chris Andersen and Chris Bosh to the mix that faced the Pacers for the final five and a half games of last season's series that the Heat took in six. For their part, the Pacers essentially bring back the same roster, counting on upgraded play from a year ago from Paul George, Lance Stephenson, George Hill and even Roy Hibbert. Essentially, the Heat appear far stronger than when the teams met last season, while the Pacers appear only marginally stronger. Pick: Heat in six

[Trollsmasher]

LeBron will take a major sh*t on the Pacers. He may be a Finals loser and choker, but ECFs have always been his b*tch and his greatest games stem from this round.

[dh144498]

Pacers in 4.

[WayOfWade]

Wade's injury is one that gets better with time. There's limited time off however. Fingers crossed he comes back beasting.

[FLDFSU]

Sun Sentinel:
It comes down to this: The Heat have added Ray Allen, Chris Andersen and Chris Bosh to the mix that faced the Pacers for the final five and a half games of last season's series that the Heat took in six. For their part, the Pacers essentially bring back the same roster, counting on upgraded play from a year ago from Paul George, Lance Stephenson, George Hill and even Roy Hibbert. Essentially, the Heat appear far stronger than when the teams met last season, while the Pacers appear only marginally stronger. Pick: Heat in six

And the one thing everyone is forgetting. The Pacers don't have Granger.

[Gotterdammerung]

If the pacers slow the game down, pound the ball inside to their big men, and George doesn't let LBJ go off unchecked, and scores consistently, and George Hill provides a steady hand, they can pull off the upset.

Since the Heat has LBJ who is coming off a fourth MVP in 5 years, and a wealth of three point bombers that'll feast off the attention he draws, and their lack of size is made up with intelligence, energy and speed, they'll win.


The Pacers are built to beat the Heat with solid bigs, athletic wings to battle LBJ and a PG that can penetrate and hit jumpers. But they must be at their absolute best and the Heat must fall off their level of play with injury or foul trouble. E.g., pound Bosh with Hibbert and wear him down or saddle him with fouls or otherwise Bosh's mobility and shooting range will mitigate everything.

Wade's injuries may prevent him from reaching full strength, and may spell doom for Miami to truly reach dynastic status, though.


Heat in 6