The conference finals started with a loss for the Miami Heat as the Indiana Pacers took game one on Sunday by a final score of 107-96.
The game started well and fast for Indiana as George Hill sank a three-pointer only 21 seconds in. The Pacers would go on to have a 7-0 run to start the game with Hill having five of the points.
The Pacers would maintain their seven-point advantage up until the first break in the action at the 6:15 remaining point. The teams would exchange baskets for the next few minutes leading to a five-point Indiana lead with three minutes remaining.
At the end of one quarter, the score was 30-24 with the teams missing most of their attempts over the last few minutes.
The second quarter started a lot like the first with Indiana hitting a quick basket only 31 seconds in. The Pacers would add a three-pointer a short while after and began the game 6 for 7 from downtown.
With 6:16 remaining, the Pacers took a timeout and still held a six-point lead. The hot shooting for Indiana would continue especially from David West. When the Heat took a timeout at the 3:41 remaining mark, the Pacers had a nine-point advantage.
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At halftime, it was 55-45 Indiana with the 55 points being the most allowed by Miami in a first half during this year’s postseason.
Continuing the trend of the first half, the Pacers added two quick points in 21 seconds with a pair of free throws. At that point, Indiana led by a game-high 12 points.
With 7:24 remaining in the third, Miami took a timeout and trailed by 15 points following another jump shot from West. The lead would balloon up to 18 at one point but was cut to 13 on a Ray Allen three-pointer with 3:19 left.
An 8-0 run by Miami towards the end of the third reduced the deficit. At the end of three, the score was 83-70 Indiana.
Miami opened the third quarter with a 4-0 run to give it 12 of the last 14 points scored in the game and reduce the deficit to nine. Mario Chalmers was hit with a flagrant foul after shoving C.J. Watson out of bounds with 9:22 left.
Down the final stretch of the fourth quarter, the Heat attempted several three-pointers and missed. With 5:07 left, Miami was 4 for 19 on treys and down by 16. LeBron James converted a four-point play with 4:05 remaining to make it a 14-point game.
The Heat were unable to get the lead under double digits again as the Pacers continued to make baskets in the final few minutes of the game.
Miami will try to even up the series in game two on Tuesday before heading home.
