NBA 2012 Playoffs: Miami Heat-Indiana Pacers Game 5 Recap

By Ian Loria | Published May 23, 2012

Day 25 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs brought only one game on the NBA’s and TNT’s slate for the night. The Spurs swept the Los Angeles Clippers the other night, hence the one game schedule. In the only matchup for the night, the Miami Heat took on the Indiana Pacers in Miami for Game 5. The series was tied at 2-2 and it became a best of three games series. Let’s see who took the 3-2 lead tonight?

(2) Miami Heat vs (3) Indiana Pacers

Quick Breakdown of the Game

The game started out quite slow for both teams, but Miami managed to gain a quick push half way through the quarter. The Pacers slowed it down, but regained composure to work on both ends of the floor. Both LeBron and Granger scored nine points in the first quarter. At the end of one, the Heat led the Pacers by six, 26-20. The Miami Heat was led by LeBron James in the second quarter. The Heat defense only allowed the Pacers to score 20, while the Heat scored 23. LeBron managed seven points and four rebounds in the second quarter. Going into halftime, the Heat led the Pacers by nine, 49-40. The Heat just outworked the Pacers in the third quarter. Danny Granger suffered an aggravated ankle injury in the third period and the Miami Heat seemed to have taken advantage. The Heat outscored the Pacers in the third, 27-17. At the end of three, the Heat led by 19, 76-57. Miami did not slow down in the fourth quarter. Their defense on the Pacers was great and they still took advantage of not having Granger on the floor. The Heat scored 39 and held the Pacers to 26. Miami managed to win Game 5 by a phenomenal 32 points, 115-83.

Indiana Pacers Top Performers

Roy Hibbert grabbed 11 rebounds and scored 8 points. David West and Danny Granger scored 10 points each. Paul George scored 11 points on 3-9 shooting.

Miami Heat Top Performers

Udonis Haslem scored 10 points on 5-6 shooting from the bench. Shane Battier scored 13 points on 4-7 shooting. Dwyane Wade scored 28 points on 10-17 shooting. LeBron led with a double-double scoring 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

What to Dwell On?

Will the Heat finish off the Pacers in Game 6 or will the Pacers find a way to push a Game 7? Are the Heat the favorite to win this series, with or without Granger on the floor?