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Game Thread #2: Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers, Oct 30, 2009 8:00 PM EDT


@
Indiana Pacers 
1-00-1
October 30, 2009 - 8:00PM EST
Conseco Fieldhouse
Radio: 1070AM WFNI   TV: Fox Sports Indiana
Probable starters:
Mario Chalmers PG T.J. Ford
Dwyane Wade SG Brandon Rush
Quentin Richardson SF Danny Granger
Michael Beasley PF Troy Murphy
Jermaine O'Neal C Roy Hibbert

The Indiana Pacersopen their home schedule at Conseco Fieldhouse against the Miami Heat. With the pre-game Third Eye Blind concert and other festivities on tap, the opening tip will be at 8:00PM. The Heat are coming off a strong home opener of their own, cruising past the New York Knicks, 115-93. For the Miami perspective, check out: Peninsula is Mightier and their game preview.

Please leave your thoughts and observations on the game in the comments and if you are at the Fieldhouse, don't forget the mobile commenting features work real well. Love to hear from others in the gym.

As for the actual game, the Heat haven't had much luck in the Fieldhouse recently, but they present plenty of problems for the Pacers.

Star-divide

 The Miami Heat will once again test the Pacers defensive FG% goals as they present a bevy of shooters who have all torched the Pacers at one time or the other in previous seasons. Obviously, Dwyane Wade is a given, able to go off at any time and take the game by the throat. But then you have the assortment of shooters the Heat can fall back on should they need more than Wade. Daequan Cook, Quentin Richardson and James Jones don't strike fear on their own but all it takes is one of the three to catch fire and the Heat can ride that advantage to a win. Although, it appears James Jones is staying in Miami due to the flu, so that eliminates one long-range weapon for the Heat.

Last year I argued that shooters of the Cook, Richardson, Jones ilk would have better games against the Pacers because the were comfortable. They knew going into the game they'd get plenty of shots without a lot of hassle and were ready to take advantage. This year the Pacers are trying to emphasize perimeter pressure and getting into just these types of players is critical to improving the defensive results and bringing down the opponent's FG percentage.

After the turnover debacle in Atlanta, the Pacers obviously have to be more cognizant of the, well, ball. You have to figure, Miami will be challenging every outlet pass possible and in Wade and Mario Chalmers they have a pair of guards capable of gathering steals. SI's preview had a stat that Wade and Chalmers combined for 33 games last year with where one of them had at least four steals. That's the best combo since the lethal defensive duo of Gary Payton and Nate McMillan combined for 34 games in 1994.

Then there's Jermaine O'Neal, coming off a 22 and 12 opener and feeling real good about his health and game. J.O. could be the X factor in this game by not only producing but luring Roy Hibbert into foul trouble. Regardless of the outcome, J.O.'s presence offers some added intrigue to the home opener.

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Am I first?

Woo-hoo!

Go Pacers! (I’m resting up for Halloween. Heh-heh)

by Gwen on Oct 30, 2009 6:26 PM EDT reply actions  

minor scare

as the Pacers took the floor, Granger was not among the group. Fortunately, he was just trailing behind a bit. Game face firmly attached.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 7:53 PM EDT reply actions  

Real nice buzz in the Fieldhouse

I know it’s opening night and there should be, but still nice to hear.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:00 PM EDT reply actions  

I only get to watch

a small portion of the game tonight :( I hate crappy parties my girlfriend makes me go to.

im excited for this game though.

by RIPShea on Oct 30, 2009 8:00 PM EDT reply actions  

Wish I could be over there tonight

But unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be, and I’m only going to be able to be around for the first quarter or so.

Gotta hope we hold on to the ball better tonight and extend this Heat at Conseco losing streak, cause it’d be nice to 1-1. Let’s go Pacers!

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:01 PM EDT reply actions  

it could

but i refuse to list the ways.

by RIPShea on Oct 30, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Let's hope it doesn't

But I’m sure it can, haha.

I really hope the Heat aren’t going to look as good against us as they did the Knicks.

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

been watching the Bobcats

and they are absolutely destroying the Knicks right now

by RIPShea on Oct 30, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Rain hasn't really hit the far east side of the state yet

How did the concert and pre-game stuff go? Amazing temps for it even if the rain is a bit of a damper.

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:06 PM EDT reply actions  

JO announced

Crowd offers up more applause than boos, in fact far more. Nice.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:07 PM EDT reply actions  

They should applaud JO

he was a big part of our franchise for years (for the better). A very classy player in my opinion. I will never forget him.

by RIPShea on Oct 30, 2009 8:08 PM EDT reply actions  

Openning up with some Black Eyed Peas

I hope tonight’s going to be a good night….

by indy62 on Oct 30, 2009 8:10 PM EDT reply actions  

damn

is it just me or has Stacy just got incredibly hotter than she was….. whew!

by RIPShea on Oct 30, 2009 8:12 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Hope J.O.

Doesn’t have too big of a game on us. Pick him up well, Roy.

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:15 PM EDT reply actions  

Hibbert with one already

Not a good start for the big fella.

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Bad pass, Ford

Good play by Murph to keep the possession alive though.

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:18 PM EDT reply actions  

Keeping Roy in?

Kind of surprised. Hopefully he doesn’t pick up #3, but they’ll definitely be going at him…

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:21 PM EDT reply actions  

BOOM BABY!

Danny on the board. Needed that shot.

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Just showed a graphic on FSI

Granger one of four to average 25.5 PPG, 5.0 REB, and 2.5 AST. I’ll let you guess the other three (hint: they’re considered the three best players in the league). I figured having to drop Danny’s AST numbers down may open that up for a couple of extra guys, but I guess not.

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:33 PM EDT reply actions  

Sheesh

JO just slammed Solo. No foul…

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:34 PM EDT reply actions  

Jeff limping

Not good. With Roy in big foul trouble, we can’t really afford to have Jeff hurting…

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:34 PM EDT reply actions  

and there’s our first station to station pass turnover of the night.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:37 PM EDT reply actions  

Oh c'mon

Take care of the ball, guys. Jeez…

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:38 PM EDT reply actions  

Udonis Haslem postered up Solo. Pacers offense seems lost. After a missed three and offensive rebound, JOB calls a much-needed timeout.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions  

4 minutes without a FG

25% shooting. Need to get calmed down and get shots to fall. Worry about the rest as it comes.

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:42 PM EDT reply actions  

Wow

that was a lot of work for a bucket. At least Solo cashed it in.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:43 PM EDT reply actions  

Yikes

offense can barely get a shot off.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:43 PM EDT reply actions  

Ugly first quarter

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to see them work through it. Gonna have to rely on text updates. Hopefully they can give me good things. Gonna record the game to go back to. Hopefully they can get it going in the second.

by Nathan S. on Oct 30, 2009 8:45 PM EDT reply actions  

Dannyoke

Nice video screen bit. Granger sings a song and Rush tries to figure out what he’s singing. Took a bit, but Purple Rain was obvious after awhile.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:46 PM EDT reply actions  

Spacing on offense is poor

All bunched up around the free throw line making it easy. Fortunately Dahntay drew a foul amongst the mess.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:52 PM EDT reply actions  

Dahntay still struggling with Beas

Literally just fell down. Of course, they called a foul on him. Heat are just iso-ing Beasley on the wing and letting him go to work.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions  

There you go Roy

Take your time and make a solid move.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions  

Hibbert giving the Pacers some life

Scored on three straight possessions.

6:15 in half Heat up 37-31

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions  

Whoa

They actually called a foul on D Wade.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:04 PM EDT reply actions  

Oops

JO gets a T for haning on the rim. DG misses the freebie

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:04 PM EDT reply actions  

Dahtay drew one on Wade

but he probably can’t breathe on him the rest of the way.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:14 PM EDT reply actions  

Nice take TJ

he’s looked good since returning to the floor.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:16 PM EDT reply actions  

BMX bike show at halftime

One of the dudes bit it and was taken off on a stretcher. He appeared to be fine.

Good sign or bad?

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:35 PM EDT reply actions  

Ack

Roy over the back for third foul. Could’ve swore he already had three. nevermind.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:40 PM EDT reply actions  

JO with a vintage take to the rim

looked like he tweaked an ankle earlier, but it appears to be fine.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:44 PM EDT reply actions  

Ugh

Murph and Granger fumbled a rebound right to Beasley for a dunk. Wade steal and foul. Heat up 12.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:46 PM EDT reply actions  

Couple of careless turnovers

put the Pacers in a hole again. Heat up 65-51.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 9:50 PM EDT reply actions  

The Pacers Suck

I thought we were gonna be better this year. But 2 games in and we look like complete shit. Uninspired, careless, unmotivated, immature, are all words that come to mind. Here’s to another worthless season.

PMGRW
(Pacers Must Get Russel Westbrook)

by Und3rgr0undh3r0 on Oct 30, 2009 9:53 PM EDT reply actions  

Wow

Roy just picked up his 5th by smothering Udonis Haslem. Haslem is wondering what hit him.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions  

End 3Q Heat up 79-63

actually seems worse than the score indicates.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 10:12 PM EDT reply actions  

Luther not letting go of this one yet

forces a Miami timeout with a couple of buckets.

Pacers down 10

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 10:18 PM EDT reply actions  

solo, dahntay, earl, luther and murph

keeping the game in play. Obviously a struggle offensively, but plenty of fight.

Down 11.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 10:25 PM EDT reply actions  

Just got home

Wondering if anybody can sum up the first 40 minutes for me? Double please and thank you…looks like we’re struggling to put a big run together to get back in this one

by spstevenson on Oct 30, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions  

struggling to make shots

Pacers were nearly knocked out at end of 3Q but the lineup mentioned above has kept things interesting. Granger is in now, but hasn’t he hasn’t had the 3-ball going all night.

JO is having a real good night.

by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Thanks!

I just heard the crowd giving JO is nice “ovation” as he came into the game…fun times

by spstevenson on Oct 30, 2009 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Granger

Looks like he’s had one helluva shooting night…we’re not at a stage where we can win with him having a terrible shooting night…no yet, anyways

by spstevenson on Oct 30, 2009 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

At least last year we had that monster home-court opening win over the Celtics, still one of the best wins over the past couple of years. Too bad we didn’t get a good feeling going in Conseco “Reggie Miller” Fieldhouse this year.

by spstevenson on Oct 30, 2009 10:44 PM EDT reply actions  

JO

He’s gonna sleep well tonight. That’s how you stick it to your former team.

by spstevenson on Oct 30, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions  

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