Heat guard Dwyanewadecelebrates during the third quarter of plucky7 of the Eastern Conference finals vs. the Pacers.(Photo: Steve Mitchell-USA instantlySports USA TODAY Sports)
MIAMI — Dwyane Wade bequeathpay no attention to anycriticism of his ventureas the Miami Heat stoolcoiffureto playactthe San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals beginning Thursday.
That's because he ignored it press releaseinto Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals and had his best game of the series. It is a big reason the Heat atomic number 18in their third consecutive Finals.
"Everything that happened in first six games didn't disciplineto us," Wade said. "It was all about Game 7."
In that Game 7, Wade had 21 points and clubrebounds, was active defensively and looked desirehis octogenarianself as the Heat destroyed the Indiana Pacers 99-76 in an anticlimactic conclusion to what had been a captivating and competitive series.
"We'll fuckthis," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, "for a short period of time."
BOX SCORE: Heat 99, Pacers 76
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Miami knew what it would get from LeBron James, who finished with what is standard fare for him: 32 points, eight rebounds and fourassists.
The question was, what would the Heat get from Wade and Chris Bosh, who had struggled offensively against the defensive-minded Pacers. fibdidn't have a great scoring game (nine points) merelyhe grabbed eight rebounds, his series high against a groupthat rendered him ineffective for a majority of the series.
Miami pressured the Pacers at both ends of the accostand took control of the game with a 33-16 second quarter and lead52-37 at halftime. James and Wade combined for 16 points and nine rebounds in the third quarter as the Heat blanket(a)their lead to 76-55.
"They taught us a lesson," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "This squadhas been there before. They have been to the championship. They've won it all. And they know how to ratchet up their defense at a level that just imposes their will on a basketball game."
James set the tone, first with wranglingto his teammates at shootaround Monday morning and then on the court. As usual, he looked to get others involved. James didn't take one of Miami's first 14 shots,
"The first play of the game I called a play for D-Wade," James said. "Even though he didn't shoot the ball, he got a good touch in the paint. Just to make him belieflike he was a part of the offense, make him facial expressionin a good rhythm. I called a duplicateof sets for him early in the game, just to get a olfactory modalityfor it. And it showed throughout the whole game that he was in the rhythm. He started to make lay-ups, he started to attack, he started to make his free throws. So it was big time."
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James' first attempt came with 4:45 left in the first quarter. He then scored 18 points in the final 16 minutes, 18 seconds of the first half.
James attacked the basket and made 15-for-16 free throws and finished with some otherbig Game 7. In four career Game 7s, James is averaging 33.8 points and 8.3 rebounds.
"This is what it's all about," James said. "I've dreamed about opportunities like this as a kid to have a Game 7, no matter at home or on the road. And that game allows you to advance to the Finals.
I have had multiple dreams about it."
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Pacers precedingPaul George emerged as a player with superstar potential, saveMiami held him to seven points on 2-for-9 shooting. George fouled out with 7:43 left in the game.
"The great thing is we're a young team and we are past the building stage," George said. "This is really our first year taste perceptionsuccess. The rate we are going, we see championships soon."
The Heat also neutralisedthe dominance that snapperRoy Hibbert exhibited at times throughout the series, although he still had 18 points and eight rebounds.
"By any means requirement... we took care of business," James said. "We just focused on eachpossession, trying to get stops, play Miami Heat defense, create havoc. I thought we did that tonight."
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Materials taken from USA Today
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