NBA Playoffs 2012: Roy Hibbert Must Dominate for Pacers to Advance

For a team who hasn't been advertised nationally to masses of basketball fans, the Indiana Pacers might be the most unknown No. 3 seed in recent playoff memory.

Now they're about to be thrown into the fire for the whole world to see.

As a result of their Game 5 win on Wednesday, the Miami Heat will be the team who faces this up-and-coming Indiana squad in the second round, with a spot in the Eastern Conference finals up for grabs.

Almost every analyst and expert will pick Miami due to talent and overall experience, but no one should slight this Indiana team in the least. Paul George and Danny Granger will surely be the keys for the Pacers in stopping LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, and they have the capability to do just that.

But if the Pacers want to have the best shot in advancing past Miami and pulling off the upset, they're going to have to utilize their biggest weapon on both sides of the floor—approximately 7'2" worth of a big problem.

Pacers center Roy Hibbert was a first-time All-Star this year and his play surely reflected that. The four-year pro from Georgetown averaged almost 13 points and nine rebounds a game, to go along with two blocks, as he was selected as the backup center for the Eastern Conference All-Star squad.

With the Orlando Magic lacking the services of superstar Dwight Howard, Hibbert imposed his will on the Magic frontcourt, averaging 11 points, 11 rebounds and almost four blocks in the five-game series win for the Pacers.

Hibbert should do serious damage against the Miami frontcourt with his size alone, combined with the lack of height for Miami. Chris Bosh will more than likely take the reins of guarding David West, so it'll be up to Joel Anthony to try and contain Hibbert.

In four games against the Heat this year, Hibbert was consistent in rebounds and blocks, but his scoring dipped two points from his season average and he shot only 42 percent from the field. That should show that Miami can contain the big man at an effective rate, which only strengthens the argument that Hibbert needs to average at least 15 points and 12 rebounds to give Indiana a chance in this series.

Granger and George will do their part in the scoring department and on perimeter defense, but Hibbert needs to play the paint effectively when Wade and James drive to the basket. As difficult and cliche of a task as that may sound, his abilities to alter shots at the rim and get the easy rebounds are going to go a long way for Indiana.

No one should overlook this Pacers team and their own "Big Three" of Hibbert, George and Granger. And if Head Coach Frank Vogel can find a way for Indiana to utilize Hibbert heavily on both sides of the ball, then it'll only make things easier for George and Granger offensively.

Will they be able to pull off the upset?

It may be highly unlikely, but we're all about to witness a very entertaining series between two almost evenly-matched teams.