LeBron James Saves Heat In OT Win Over Pacers [Video]
LeBron James to the rescue! The Miami Heat’s superstar beat the buzzer in overtime Wednesday night to beat the Indiana Pacers 103-102 in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals.
James finished with a triple-double, but his last second lay-up saved the Heat from an upset at home to start the series. The Pacers’ Paul George thought he would have the last laugh after draining a crucial three-pointer to send the game into overtime at the end of regulation, but James had other ideas as he stole the victory in front of a sold-out crowd at American Airlines Arena.
James finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in the back-and-forth contest. There were a total of 18 ties and 17 lead changes in the game, which looked to favor the Pacers in the final seconds of overtime.
Paul George didn’t stop with his 32-footer with 0.7 seconds left in the fourth quarter as he made three clutch free throws with 2.2 seconds left in overtime to give the Pacers a 102-101 lead.
With Roy Hibbert on the bench for the final play, LeBron James took advantage and drove the lane for a last second lay-up that sealed the Game 1 win for the Heat.
‘Two teams fought hard,” James said after the game. ”We were able to make one more play.”
That one play could go a long way as the overpowering Miami offense has no plans of losing Game 2 at home. The Pacers would love to steal a game on the road before returning to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but James and company haven’t lost a Game 2 in the playoffs, or a Game 3, and don’t forget Game 4.
The Pacers left it all on the court Wednesday night, but it didn’t slow down the Heat as four-of-five starters finished in double figures. Dwyane Wade pitched in 19 points while Chris Bosh added 17.
Mario Chalmers finished with 10 points on four-of-seven shooting while Chris Anderson dropped 16 points off the bench. Outside of Paul George’s big night for the Pacers, David West managed 26 points and five rebounds in the the loss.
Game 2 is Friday as the Pacers will look even the series at one before returning home. Do you think the Indiana Pacers can slow down LeBron James and the Miami Heat as they battle for a spot in the NBA Finals?
[Image via Keith Allison]
