There were a lot of extraneous matters to discuss about the series-clinching Game 6 win by the Heat on Friday night, but we don’t want that to take away from the focused basketball played by a Miami team looking to win their third consecutive title. The Pacers fought them every step of the way again, but they couldn’t force a Game 7 at home they had played so hard for during the regular season.
Indiana’s young star Paul George scored a game-high 29 points, but he only scored a single point in the first half as the Heat jumped to a 60-34 lead, and 13 more of his final total came in the final session’s garbage time after the Heat ran to a 91-58 lead after three quarters.
Chris Bosh joined LeBron James in scoring 25 points, knocking down 10 of his 14 shots. D-Wade poured in another 13, and Rashard Lewis continued to impress as a starter with 13 more.
James and Wade also passed for six assists a-piece, as everyone got involved in the runaway win at home.
The Heat defense was at its best, and the Pacers — even with Lance Stephenson attempting to rise to the moment with 11 first-half points — just didn’t have an answer as the game was over midway through the third period. Stephenson didn’t score a single point in the second half.
In the end, it was James who led the Heat to the win and their fourth trip to the Finals in as many years.
Will the Heat beat the winner of OKC/Spurs?
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