The Miami Heat have advanced to the NBA finals for the fourth year in the row by destroying the Pacers 117-92 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals in Miami on Friday.
This win over the Pacers has secured their fourth consecutive Eastern Conference title. The Heat started the playoffs with the No.2 seed in the East. The Heat destroyed the Bobcats, Nets, and Pacers on their way to the finals. Miami is now 48-16 in the playoffs against the East since Lebron James left Cleveland for Miami back in 2010. In an post-game interview Friday night, Lebron said, “We know we still have work to do, but we won’t take this for granted.”
The Miami Heat blew out the Pacers 117-92. The Pacers Barely made it out of the first quarter with a 9-2 lead, but eventually fell behind. Miami took the lead in the second quarter with 28-13 with 11:10 left in the second quarter. It didn’t get any better for the Pacers after that when the Heat led 60-34 at half-time and then led with 86-49 with 3:39 left in the third quarter. From their the Heat obliterated the Pacers.
Lebron finished with 25 points, six assists, and four rebounds in Game 6. In addition Chris Bosh scored another 25 points and eight rebounds for Miami. Paul George led his Indiana Pacers with 29 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in their loss of Game 6.
Miami coach Erik Spolestra, James, Wade, Bosh, and the rest of the Miami Heat will be seeking their third straight title as NBA champions. The Heat would join the Bulls (1991-1993 and 1996-1998) and Lakers (200-2002) winning streaks. These are the only teams to win the NBA finals three years in a row in the last 45 years. The Celtics were led by Bill Russell, who won eight straight titles from 1959-1966.
Lebron James is now 29, and is currently the most successful NBA player. James has a chance to join Michael Jordan and O’Neal as the only NBA players to win three straight Finals MVP awards. During James’ first year on the Miami Heat they loss to the Dallas Mavericks, but since then James has led the Miami Heat to victory.
The Heat will either face the Spurs or Thunder in the Finals. Right now San Antonio is holding a 3-2 lead over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Finals, with their Game 6 set for Saturday at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Game 1 of the finals, which will be played in either San Antonio or Oklahoma City, is set for Thursday June 5. Tune in to see who the Miami Heat takes on next.
[ Image Via gazztoday.com]