IC Cold Links: Pacers Set For Test Against LeBron James, Dwyane Wade And Heat

by Tom Lewis on Jan 4, 2012 9:00 AM EST in Indiana Pacers News

A motivated LeBron James and Dwyane Wade make for a tough duo to deal with but that will be the hand dealt the Indiana Pacers tonight when they take on the Miami Heat.

The Heat will be looking to bounce back from their only loss of the season when they dropped a home game to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The Hawks were lauded for their zone defense slowing down the Heat, but as Israel Gutierrez points out, the Hawks didn't play zone defense in the fourth quarter when they overcame a four-point deficit to win the game.

The bigger issues for the Heat are with their own defense.

For those who are concerned about the Heat's lack of interior defensive presence other than Joel Anthony, that worry likely grew Monday.

The Hawks converted on four shots within four feet in the fourth quarter, and the Heat defense was then so concerned with drives to the basket that it opened up the Hawks to hit five three-pointers in the period.

That is actually good news for the Pacers since they don't normally employ a zone defense while at the other end of the floor they have the front court players to attack the interior defense of the Heat. Hopefully Tyler Hansbrough is able to play through a hand injury suffered in New Jersey to maintain that attack mindset off the bench.

Of course, regardless of how well the Pacers execute their plan, there's still James and Wade to deal with so the Pacers playmakers have to be on point, as well. Seems strange to say, but Paul George may be the key. He needs to avoid early foul trouble which has hampered his game a couple of times so far to remain on the court to help matchup better at both ends of the floor.

Check out the links after the jump for more stories including a must-read story on David West's impact off the floor by Adrian Wojnarowski.

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Comments

Just tell me Foster is a go tonight!

And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT

by Sparhawk on Jan 4, 2012 9:17 AM EST reply actions

Didn't hear about Tyler's hand

Hope it’s something minor.

by gut19 on Jan 4, 2012 9:21 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Well According to a Buddy

Who happens to live in the beach area claims the Heat have no worries about the Pacers. Sounds typical, I remember Wade and James making fun of Dirk’s flu like symtoms in the finals and looked what happened…Karma man. I hope Big Roy drops 20 and 12 tonight and abuses Joel Anthony and whoever they put out to guard him. I think we need to play some kind of zone to mix it up a little but its essential that we feed Roy and/or West. Inside out game.

***Forever Grunge...Man!***
*I'm Alive* Eddie Veddar, Pearl Jam

by rockguyinindy on Jan 4, 2012 11:13 AM EST reply actions