The Miami Heat find themselves looking up at the Indiana Pacers after their 94-78 loss in Game 3 of the Easter Conference Semifinals. With a less than mediocre performance from their All-Star, Dwayne Wade, the Heat have to ask themselves one question: Can they win without Chris Bosh?
Bosh has been inactive since Game 1 after suffering an abdominal strain in the second quarter. The Heat went on to win that game 95-86, but failed to win Game 2 and last night they were blown out. Many looked at this as an opportunity for James to step up and take over games. Lebron did what he could, shooting close to 50% from the floor and scoring 22 points in the night. Dwayne Wade, not so much. Wade scored five points, Thursday night after shooting 2-13 from the floor.
The Heat seemed capable of keeping up with the Pacers as both teams were tied at 43 at the end of the half. Things quickly unraveled after George Hill connected with a three-pointer with 9:25 left to play in the third quarter. The Pacers went on a 14-3 run and never reliquished the lead. By the end of the third quarter the game was 69-55. George Hill led the way with 20 points and 3 assists.
On a rare occasion, Mario Chalmers lead the team in scoring with 25 points, but it was not good enough to cover Wade's distrastrous evening. The Heat missed Bosh's presence down low as Pacers' center Roy Hibbert looked more like the Timberwolves' Kevin Love, after posting a double-double with 19 points and 18 rebounds on the night.
What will be the Heat's recipe for success without Bosh? It is simple. Lebron and Wade have to score 30 points each. There needs to be more ball movement. During the regular season they averaged just over 12 assists per game. Now in the playoffs, they are down to just over seven assists a game. After James and Wade score, they have to race back on defense to help contain the Pacers' offense. The Pacers are playing with hunger.
A key matchup in Game 4, which will be played on Sunday afternoon, will be the continuing on court battle between Lebron James and Danny Granger, who have had altercations in back to back games.