Pacers vs. Heat: Game 1 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat are set to embark on what could be the most fascinating series of the second round of the NBA playoffs.

On one hand, you have the flashy and star-laden Heat, led by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. If they weren't already the Eastern Conference favorites heading into the playoffs, the torn ACL of the Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose cemented the Heat's status as team to beat in the East.

Meanwhile, the Pacers lack a true superstar but are well balanced with players like Danny Granger, David West, George Hill and Roy Hibbert all contributing to the cause. They rebound well and play solid defense, and the Heat could have problems trying to match up with Hibbert down low.

These are very different teams, but make no mistake about it—this will be a very competitive series. The clash of styles and personnel only makes it all the more intriguing.

Where: American Airlines Arena (Miami, Florida)

When: Sunday, May 13th at 3:30 p.m. EDT

Watch: ABC

Betting Line: HEAT (-8.5), according to Bet Online

What They're Saying

Charles Barkley thinks this series will be very competitive (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald):

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The Pacers will enter the second round as clear underdogs, but TNT's Charles Barkley predicts they will give Miami "trouble. That Indiana team is going to be very difficult. They are very deep. Danny Granger and Paul George can flat out play."

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Barkley went on to add that "the key to that series is going to be Roy Hibbert."

Most Important Player to Watch: Roy Hibbert

Who am I to disagree with Charles Barkley?

We know that James, Wade and Granger will get theirs on the offensive end. The question will be how Bosh and Joel Anthony deal with the 7'2" Hibbert on the glass.

Hibbert is a load down low and averaged 11.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game in the first-round victory over the Orlando Magic. If he consistently gets the Pacers second chances on the offensive glass and is effective in disrupting Wade and James on their drives inside, Game 1—and this series in general—could become very intriguing.

Key Matchup: Heat Defenders vs. George Hill and Darren Collison

James versus Granger will be the matchup people pay the most attention to, and dealing with Roy Hibbert will be the team's biggest challenge, but how the Heat handle the speedy ball-handlers of the Pacers could be the key in the series.

Along with Hill and Collison, the Pacers also have Leandro Barbosa to contend with. Hill is the best scorer of the three, but keeping Collison out of the paint and distributing to teammates will be vital.

The Pacers are dangerous because they are balanced offensively, and solid ball movement could make Miami and its aggressive help defense vulnerable to easy buckets. That will start with the play of the guards and, more importantly, how Miami matches up against them.

Prediction

I've spent a lot of time talking about the Pacers, but that's mostly because they're the lesser-known commodity. The fact remains that if James, Wade and Bosh are at the top of their game, they're going to be too tough for the Pacers to overcome.

This will be a competitive Game 1 and very good series to follow. But the Heat will prevail in both, taking the first game, 102-95, and the series in six.

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