
LeBron, Heat dig deep to top Pacers in Game 1
It could have been the perfect matchup to cap an unforgettable game. LeBron James driving to the rim to face Roy Hibbert, one play to decide Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Thursday, May 23, 2013

It could have been the perfect matchup to cap an unforgettable game. LeBron James driving to the rim to face Roy Hibbert, one play to decide Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
MIAMI - It all seemed frighteningly familiar.
MIAMI - Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel told his players on Tuesday that they would win Game 1.
Chris Bosh predicted his clashes with Indiana center Roy Hibbert, the prototypical 7-2 immovable object, would be pivotal to the fulfillment of the Miami Heat's Eastern Conference championship aspirations.
LeBron James one-upped Paul George in the final seconds of overtime, beating the Pacers All-Star for a left-handed layup just before the buzzer to give the Miami Heat a thrilling 103-102 victory over Indiana in the opener of the Eastern Conference finals. George sent Game 1 into overtime with a stunning 3-pointer at the end of regulation, then gave the Pacers a 102-101 lead with three free throws after a questionable foul call with 2.2 seconds left in the extra session. George overplayed the inbounds pass at the top of the key, and James never hesitated attacking the basket as he blew by his defender for the game-winner to cap his sensational 30-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist performance -- the ninth triple- double of his stellar career. Game 2 is set for Friday night in Miami Chris Andersen played a critical role off the Heat's bench, connecting on a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor for 16 points, while Chris Bosh added 17 points, including a clutch three-point play in OT with the defending champs down by three. George scored 27 points, David West followed with 26 and Roy Hibbert netted 19 with nine rebounds, though the 7-foot-2 center was not on the court for either of James' buckets in OT.
MIAMI - This was more like it. Ten games in, the playoffs felt like they started for real for the Heat here Wednesday night. Welcome back, tension and doubt. Good to see you again, major challenge. We missed you, edge of seat.
MIAMI - The Indiana Pacers got the ugly game they were hoping for and needed.
What went right for the Heat
MIAMI - The clock was moving to zeroes, the Heat were down a point and LeBron James took the inbounds pass and moved down the lane to win the unwinnable game.
MIAMI - Dwyane Wade said before Wednesday's game that his injured right knee is causing him more pain than the left knee injury that hindered him in last year's postseason.
LOS ANGELES-The Los Angeles Clippers have begun their search for a new coach to replace Vinny Del Negro, with the hope that they can find someone who is capable of molding the team into a championship contender.

Paul George did all he could.
LeBron James one-upped Paul George in the final seconds of overtime, beating the Pacers All-Star for a left-handed layup just before the buzzer to give the Miami Heat a thrilling 103-102 victory over Indiana in the opener of the Eastern Conference finals.
LeBron James caught the inbounds pass, changed direction and immediately attacked the rim.
Mitch Kupchak sounded tired of this already - but not out of any impatience with Dwight Howard.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Uh-oh, 2-0?
Now that the Los Angeles Clippers have refused to offer coach Vinny Del Negro a new contract, a source said Wednesday that the Dallas Mavericks believe they have a better chance of acquiring Dwight Howard than acquiring Chris Paul.
When the Cavaliers' private jet returned to Cleveland early Wednesday morning carrying the No. 1 pick, Dan Gilbert and crew brought back something even more valuable: options.
The Pistons got good news Tuesday night.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on top of the NBA draft yet again, only this time there is no LeBron James waiting to save them. There may not even be a Kyrie Irving.
The Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers will meet in the postseason for the second consecutive year, but this time, it's in the Eastern Conference Finals, beginning Wednesday night in Miami.
It is a subject Erik Spoelstra would rather avoid.
Daniel Paille's goal with 3:31 left in the game led the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers in Game 3 of this Eastern Conference semifinal series. The win gives the Bruins a 3-0 lead in this best-of-seven series with a chance to close things out on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Johnny Boychuk tied the contest early in the third period while Tuukka Rask turned away 23 shots for Boston, which got a pair of assists from Shawn Thornton. Taylor Pyatt had the lone goal while Henrik Lundqvist made 32 stops for the Rangers, who have dug themselves a deep hole thanks to going 0-for-10 on the power play in this series, including 0-for-2 on Tuesday.

If the Western Conference finals seem the slightest bit over after two San Antonio wins, hold that thought for a minute.
The Memphis Grizzlies called their woeful performance against San Antonio in the opener of the Western Conference finals an aberration. It wasn't their brand of basketball, they said. Things would change, they insisted.