Paul George (24) of the Indiana Pacers celebrates with Ian Mahinmi (28) after a dunk in the second half against the Miami Heat during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, yesterday.
MIAMI: The Indiana Pacers bounced back from a heart-breaking game one defeat to edge LeBron James and the Miami Heat 97-93 yesterday and level the NBA Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece.
With the win in Miami, the Pacers seized home court advantage in the best-of-seven series from the reigning league champions, and they will try to maintain the momentum when they host game three today.
The winner of the series advances to the NBA finals to take on the Western Conference champions for the league crown. San Antonio lead Memphis 2-0 in the Western finals.
“This whole team has just shown great desire,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said of his young squad, who had fallen 103-102 to the Heat on Wednesday.
“They believe we can win this series, and they’re giving it all their might, all their might.”
James, who earned NBA Most Valuable Player honours this season for the fourth time in his career, was forced into two crucial turnovers in the final 43 seconds.
Roy Hibbert, who was on the bench when James provided the game-winning layup in overtime in the series opener, delivered a dominant performance, leading the Pacers with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
George Hill scored 18 for the Pacers and David West added 13 points and seven rebounds -- and forced the two late turnovers by James.
West stole a pass from James with 42.9 seconds left and Indiana ahead 95-93, although the Pacers did not score from the ensuing possession.
On Miami’s next possession, with the Heat needing a field goal to tie the game, West batted away another James pass with 8.3 seconds remaining.
Hill came up with the ball and was then fouled by James, calmly making his free throws to seal the win.
James scored a game-high 36 points with eight rebounds, but also had five of Miami’s 15 turnovers.
“Very disappointing, of course, for me. That’s the first thing I always look at on the stat sheet is my turnovers,” James said.
“I had two key ones at a big point of the game. I am very disappointed in my judgment and my plays down the stretch. But I’ll make up for them,” added the American. AFP
