Postgame Analysis: Heat vs. Pacers (Game 1)

Photo Courtesy of NBA.com

Simply put, the Pacers put together a masterful performance in Game 1 against the Miami Heat.

I don't know. Maybe this is what the doctor order for Indiana because they haven't looked this good in the playoffs at all. Indiana played team basketball and it showed in the box score. The Pacers had six players in double figures including big man Roy Hibbert who finished the night with 19 points and nine rebounds. Say what you want, but the Pacers knew they had to come in and set the tone from the jump and it was evident in their play.

I've got to give credit to Lance Stephenson and George Hill. They played a major role in today's win for Indiana. Stephenson put together 17 points and eight assists while George Hill added 15 points. As if that weren't enough, the Pacers were 42 percent from 3-point land and 29-of-37 from the charity stripe. When you're getting production like that, anybody (even the worst team in the NBA) is hard to beat.

Photo Courtesy of NBA.com

Meanwhile, Miami chose to prove that the "live by the 3, die by the 3" mantra is still true. The Heat were 6-of-23 from long range. That includes LeBron James and Chris Bosh going a collective 1-of-10 from distance. That's not Heat basketball. It really felt more like Miami was playing 2-on-5 than anything today. If they're going to come away from Bankers Life Fieldhouse with a split, they have to do a better job of attacking the basket and tightening up on defense.