Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat: 3 Thoughts After Game 2 of Second Round

The Eastern Conference semifinal is between more than just the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers. It is a duel between two different ideologies.

There is the Heat's ideology—sign superstars and assemble a cast of role players that let the stars shine. Then there is the Pacers' ideology—build carefully through the draft with a very traditional Hoosier idea that the team is greater than the sum of its parts. It is the superstar vs. the team.

The team took Game 2, after a tough, physical, tempestuous 78-75 slug-fest. Now the series shifts to Indianapolis with the semifinal tied up at 1-1.

Naturally games like this create a plethora of storylines. Being your dutiful writer, I have compiled three for your consideration. If you're a good reader, I might just throw a bonus thought at the end because that's the generous thing to do.

1. Defense, Defense, Defense

Three types of close, low-scoring basketball games exist.

Some games are just defensive clinics, where two teams are playing hard and refusing to give an inch.

Other games are simply awful, like the '11 UCONN/Butler and '12 Alabama/LSU National Championships. Neither team is making anything, usually because of they are getting in their own way. They are just tough to watch.

Then there are the games somewhere in between, like the one Tuesday night in Miami. Although it was a defensive masterpiece, both teams couldn't sink a basket to save their lives during some stretches.

The Pacers knew they had to make the Heat become a jump-shooting team, and did so. The Heat knew they had to play very physically with Roy Hibbert and David West, which, for much of the game, they did.

Both teams were swarming at the point of attack, using their length to contest shots and demonstrating how teams are supposed to play defense.

Both teams had low field-goal percentages—Indy 38 percent and Miami 35percent—which showed that neither team was very proficient from the field. Both teams were also very active on the defensive end.

2. The Depth of the Pacers Was Overwhelming

They were balanced.

David West led the way with 16, taking the scoring burden in the fourth quarter. He scored seven of the final 13 points for Indy.

Roy Hibbert was a huge factor in the middle down the stretch. He grabbed two team rebounds in the final minutes. Indy wouldn't have been able to extend its fourth quarter possessions if Hibbert wasn't fighting down low. 

Danny Granger had a huge third quarter. When the Pacers needed a spark while trying to take control of the game, Granger nailed a jumper, then a fadeaway and finished with a driving layup. He sent a message to the Heat that the Pacers are not afraid when he didn't back down from LeBron James.

Indiana's best perimeter defender, Paul George, went into lockdown mode in the last quarter. He used his length to contest passes and cause turnovers. He lead numerous fast breaks, finishing one with a LeBronesque slam. George also denied any reasonable looks inside the last minute, forcing Mario Chalmers to take the last shot.

Ten Pacers had playing time and seven of them had eight or more points, together accounting for 68 of their 78 points.

Miami, meanwhile, had 52 of its 75 tied up to two players.

3. What Was Up with Wade?

Dwyane Wade is normally mentally solid, doesn't get rattled and is a killer in the final seconds.

On Tuesday, he had the fortitude of a toddler.

After a clean shot-alteration by Dahntay Jones, where Wade flailed like someone who doesn't know how to swim after falling in the pool, he stood statuesque, completely taking himself out of the play. Then on the Pacers next fast break, he went Troy Polamalu on Darren Collison, leveling him to the ground with his shoulder.

Later in the second half he did a similar thing after a missed layup. With under a minute to go, he clangs a layup off the rim and lays prostrate on the baseline, again taking himself out of the play.

Add in the free throw he missed that could have tied the game and his 1-of-5 shooting performance inside the final four minutes, and he was less than impressive right when the Heat needed him most.

Dwyane, don't pout when the calls don't go your way. Miami needs you to stay in the game. Yes, the Pacers complained about the officiating off the court, but on the court they took the good and bad calls alike and played through them. Wade did not, which was one of the biggest reasons the Pacers have the Heat on the ropes going back to Indy.

Bonus Thought: The Tough, Tough Life of NBA Referees

As I watched, Game 1 of the Oklahoma City Thunder-Los Angeles Lakers series, I spent the second quarter observing the referees.

That might not sound exciting, but it was enlightening.

They are like boxing referees, in constant motion along the sidelines, trying to get the best views possible. I can't imagine how a ref like Joey Crawford gets his crotchety self through an entire game. That's a huge accomplishment.

All the while, they are getting booed by the fans and yelled at by coaches.

Even when they call an obvious foul—see Kevin Garnett's illegal screen in Game 2—they get harassed.

They do a tough job without any praise, so I offer them my props. Good job, refs.

Please remember that I'm only critical because I care.