Heat vs. Pacers: Game 3 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The Miami Heat will take on the Indiana Pacers Thursday night in Indianapolis for Game 3 of a second-round series virtually no one expected to be tied at one game apiece. A matchup once anticipated to be merely another stepping stone for Miami's title push has all of a sudden become one of the postseason's most intriguing stories.

The Pacers proved LeBron James and the Heat were anything but invincible on Tuesday night, at least without Chris Bosh in the lineup. Frank Vogel's up-and-coming club gutted out a 78-75 victory in Game 2, stealing home-court advantage and plenty of momentum along with it.

Both teams struggled to score, shooting well under 40 percent for the night—but the Pacers' 28-14 third quarter gave them the breathing room to withstand Miami's charge in the fourth.

Thursday's rematch will determine whether Indiana's Game 2 heroics were a fluke or a harbinger of bad things to come for the Miami Heat.

Where: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

When: Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: None

Listen: The Ticket 790 AM (Miami) and WIBC 93.1 FM (Indianapolis)

Betting Line: Miami Heat (-1), according to Top Bet

Heat's Key Injuries (via Yahoo! Sports)

Out Indefinitely: Chris Bosh (lower abdominal strain) 

Pacers' Key Injuries (via Yahoo! Sports)

No key injuries reported.

What They're Saying

Dwyane Wade is saying plenty, with words and deeds alike. He unraveled along with the Heat's chances in Game 2, arguing a non-call instead of running back on defense and then earning himself a flagrant foul by shoving Darren Collison from behind on a layup attempt.

But, his frustration was most evident in his post-game comments (via ESPN's Michael Wallace):

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"I heard they wanted to be like the Dallas Mavericks in a sense,” Wade said, referring to the Mavericks celebrating their series-clinching Game 6 victory over Miami on the very same court in the Finals last season. “I saw [Indiana's] little celebration at the end of that game. I don't know if they didn't expect to win. But every night we go out on the court, we expect to win. They stated their identity. They said they wanted to be like Dallas. So, they celebrated like Dallas, I guess.”

"

It's a bit hard to understand what's so problematic with being like Dallas. The Mavericks' celebratory habits notwithstanding, they were the team that ended Miami's championship hopes last season. One would think the Pacers are hoping to be exactly like Dallas.

Of course, there's also something appropriately bizarre about Wade juxtaposing the Pacers' excitement with his contention that "every night [the Heat] go out on the court, [they] expect to win."

Perhaps those expectations are part of the problem.

Of course, Indiana was surprised to win. Everyone else was surprised, too. Given this series' current trajectory, though, the Heat may be the ones in disbelief before too long.

Most Important Player to Watch: Paul George

LeBron James had his way on the glass in Game 1, securing 15 rebounds and holding Indiana's wing tandem of Danny Granger and Paul George to a combined six rebounds. George did his part to reverse Indiana's fortunes Tuesday night, grabbing 11 boards and making a far more significant impact defensively.

He also started to find his scoring rhythm in the second half despite struggling in Game 1 and throughout Indiana's first-round series against the Orlando Magic.

Along with Granger and George Hill, the Pacers' young guard/forward is one of this team's best perimeter threats and a highlight waiting to happen if he finds himself unimpeded in the paint. Still, he's faced with the entirely unappealing task of checking the likes of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.

It may be George's defensive ability and exceptional length that make the biggest impact in this series, but hitting a few timely baskets would do wonders for the Pacers' chances.

Key Matchup: LeBron James vs. The World

OK, LeBron may not have to take on the entire world, but he'll be asked to do even more than an MVP usually does with Chris Bosh out of the lineup—especially on the defensive end.

First and foremost, that means he'll be spending just as much time guarding David West in the post as he does locking down guys like Danny Granger on the perimeter. Miami's best chance to beat the Pacers in the transition game is going small and putting James at the 4.

He may be their best interior defender anyway, even when Bosh is healthy. With so much defensive responsibility on his shoulders, though, the real question becomes whether James can remain a dominant scorer. While he shot well in Game 2, he was by no means unstoppable.

For Miami to win this series, the three-time MVP will need to remain his team's best defender while scoring a lot more than 28 points.

Game 3 Prediction

Pacers 94

Heat 86