Game Thread #2: Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
by Tom Lewis on Oct 30, 2009 4:00 PM EDT
in Events
Email
PrintMiami Heat at Indiana Pacers, Oct 30, 2009 8:00 PM EDT
 |
@ |  |
|---|---|---|
| 1-0 | 0-1 | |
| 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.
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.
99 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
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.
Real nice buzz in the Fieldhouse
I know it’s opening night and there should be, but still nice to hear.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
Keeping Roy in?
Kind of surprised. Hopefully he doesn’t pick up #3, but they’ll definitely be going at him…
Atlanta kept pace with good shots early
We’re keeping close to Miami’s poor shooting.
Not sure how I feel about the contrast.
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.
4 minutes without a FG
25% shooting. Need to get calmed down and get shots to fall. Worry about the rest as it comes.
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.
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.
Spacing on offense is poor
All bunched up around the free throw line making it easy. Fortunately Dahntay drew a foul amongst the mess.
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.
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?
JO with a vintage take to the rim
looked like he tweaked an ankle earlier, but it appears to be fine.
Ugh
Murph and Granger fumbled a rebound right to Beasley for a dunk. Wade steal and foul. Heat up 12.
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
solo, dahntay, earl, luther and murph
keeping the game in play. Obviously a struggle offensively, but plenty of fight.
Down 11.
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
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.
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
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Indy Cornrows
Related FanShots on Indy Cornrows
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
