The Miami Heat host the Indiana Pacers for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. After the conclusion of today's game one of these two teams will be just one game away from advancing to the 2013 NBA Finals.
So far in the playoffs, the Pacers haven't lost more than two games per series. The Atlanta Hawks took two from the Pacers followed by the New York Knicks winning twice in the conference semifinals. In total, the Pacers have six loses in the postseason. Now, Indiana is two wins away from making it to the NBA Finals where the San Antonio Spurs are awaiting an opponent.
For the Heat, these are the most loses they've had in a 2013 NBA playoffs series. They didn't lose a game to the Milwaukee Bucks, followed by one loss to the Chicago Bulls as they wrapped the conference semis in five games. If the pattern continues, the Heat will win this series in six games as Miami seems to increase their series loss total by one.
In 2012, the Heat had another similar pattern that led to a lot of jokes in the NBA Finals. Miami lost one to the Knicks in the first round, followed by two losses against these Pacers in the conference semis and then they dropped three games to the Boston Celtics in the ECF. The pattern was supposed conclude with four loses against Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, but the jokers were left with a sour taste in their mouth as LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were crowned after winning the series in just five games.
Both teams have had their good and bad in the series. Many thought the Heat would be able to put away the Pacers easily after playing the super physical Bulls in the previous round. However, Miami's own inconsistencies have disabled their ability to lock up the seires. The games have been close and exciting, proving the Pacers a worthy opponent as they have the potential to represent the East in the NBA Finals.
While the Heat have breezed by the first two rounds, it is the Spurs who have the better record so far in the 2013 NBA Finals as they have posted two sweeps and a 12-2 record.
Game 5 will be played Thursday evening at 8:30 p.m. ET
