Despite losing Game 1 to the Indiana Pacers in their rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat have turned things around and now lead the series three games to one.
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Now, after a decisive Game 4 victory, the Miami Heat are just one game away from clinching their fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals.
The last two victories for the Heat have both come by 12 points, as they’ve proven themselves to just be flat out better than the Pacers.
According to reports, however, the Heat may be shorthanded as they return to Indianapolis for Game 5 tonight.
Both Ray Allen and Chris Andersen missed shootaround and will be game time decisions for tonight’s contest.
"Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said guard Ray Allen and forward Chris Andersen missed Wednesday morning’s shootaround with injuries and will be game-time decisions in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.Allen bruised his hip in the Game 4 win over Indiana that gave the Heat a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Andersen missed Game 4 with a bruised thigh."
No one wants to be shorthanded–especially in a playoff game–but even though Allen and Andersen have played pretty well in this series, only one person’s health truly matters for the Heat tonight. And that’s LeBron James.
He’s healthy, and if he plays again like he did in Game 4, then there’s nothing the Pacers can do. LeBron was just flat out unstoppable the other night, and the Pacers are going to have to hope he can’t do it two nights in a row if they want to extend this series.