After Miami's disappointing Game 4 loss to the Pacers in Indiana, the Heat were in need for a spark to bring back the momentum to once again take control over the Eastern Conference finals.
That's where four-time MVP LeBron James stepped in.
James was a man possessed in the third quarter of Miami's 90-79 Game 5 win, scoring 16 of his 30 points in the quarter, fueling a 20-point turnaround at one point.
Now the Heat lead the series 3-2 and are now one game away from making and third consecutive trip to the NBA finals. They'll have the opportunity to finish the Pacers off on Saturday night in Indiana if they plan to see the San Antonio Spurs in the next round.
"That's what I came here for, to be able to compete for a championship each and every year," James said. "I'm one step away from doing it once again. It's not promised. It's not promised at all. I made a tough decision. Obviously, I think we all know the story. I envisioned something that was bigger as far as a team ... and we've got an opportunity as a team, once again, for the third year straight to make a trip to the NBA Finals."
In the third and fourth quarter the Heat outscored the Pacers 30-10, with James accounting for 25 of Miami's points.
"That's LeBron showing his greatness and making it look easy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "What we talked about was doing whatever it takes and competing for each other without leaving anything out there. His engine in that third quarter was incredible. He was tireless, he was making plays on both ends of the court, rebounding, covering so much ground defensively and then making virtually every play for us offensively. It's really remarkable."
Ahead of the game there was much talk about flopping and the officiating in Game 4. Pacers' big men David West and Roy Hibbert said part of the Pacers' game plan is to watch out for Miami's Shane Battier attempting to take shots at their knees.
"I (learned) to always have my guard up and protect my knees," West said. "(Battier) has got this funny way of moving into your knees. We're very conscious of that. We talk about making sure we protect our knees."
Hibbert added:
"I know what (Battier) brings to the game and it's worked for him in the past. He has to do whatever he has to do to make sure his team wins," Hibbert said. "I'm going to watch my knees, watch my groin. ... To tell you the truth, I don't care. I'm in there, I'm playing tough. He has to do what he has to do.
"Obviously I don't like it but it's a part of the game. I don't want to look back say I gave in to a dirty player."
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