Heat vs. Pacers Game 6: Why Miami's Backs Are Still Against the Wall

The Miami Heat can’t brace themselves.

If they play passive in Game 6, the revenge-hungry Indiana Pacers will eat them alive. Miami must be the aggressor or they won’t just lose the game—they’ll lose the series.

Michael Wallace of ESPN reported that LeBron James said after practice on Wednesday that he’ll be bracing for hard fouls tonight:

"

It may have gotten to that point. For me, it's always at that point. I'm always in protect mode. For me, in the playoffs or the regular season, there are teams trying to go for me. It's happened. I'm not saying guys are playing dirty, but certain guys say if you hard foul LeBron, get him off balance, he'll stop being aggressive and things like that.

"

Indiana loves what they just heard.

When an NBA player braces himself for contact, he’s being distracted. Whether LeBron believes it or not, if he’s in protect-mode, a.k.a. flinch-mode, Indiana achieved their goal. They’re in his head.

Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star reported that Larry Bird said after the Pacers’ Game 5 loss: “I can’t believe my team went soft. S-O-F-T. I’m disappointed. I never thought it would happen.”

You better believe, after those comments, Indiana players will be primed to play the most physical game they’ve ever participated in.

Miami has two options. One: brace themselves for contact. Or two: run right through them.

After back-to-back wins, Miami has all the momentum. They must ride that to a Game 6 victory. A Game 7 would be a disaster.

Indiana shouldn’t be in this series. They are, and because of that, their confidence is through the roof. Or, at least it was until the Heat just won two straight games.

If the Pacers win Game 6 by physically imposing their will on the Heat, they’ll regain their swagger and fly to South Beach in position to knock out the best team in the world. All the pressure would be on the Heat. Indiana would have nothing to lose—and that really isn’t something the Heat want.

James and Dwyane Wade alone have scored 128 points over the past two games. If they continue to dominate like they’re capable of, Miami will be headed to the Eastern Conference finals. But they simply aren’t in position to coast and just take care of business in Game 7.

Miami’s backs are still against the wall. Luckily they have enough firepower that they should be favored going into tonight’s contest. But if their weapons stall, they’re screwed.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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