Heat vs. Pacers: Game 3 Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

The loss of Chris Bosh is beginning to be a major concern for the Miami Heat.

On Thursday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Indiana Pacers took the series lead at home, 94-75, after stealing a game in Miami.

Dwyane Wade was awful and the Heat were thoroughly out-rebounded and outplayed, while Pacers big man Roy Hibbert looked like a superstar.

It suddenly looks like Miami may not even make it to the conference finals.

Tweets of the Night

Who would have thought D-Wade would be struggling so much in this series?

David Haberstroh of ESPN tweeted:

"

Dwyane Wade is currently shooting 17 percent on jumpers in the series. Just awful.

— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) May 17, 2012"

Roy Hibbert and Mario Chalmers each had a big first half for their respective teams.

ESPN's Daily Dime crew noted: 

"

Roy Hibbert is having a monster half. 12 pts/9 boards. Mario Chalmers, too. Just scored his 13th point. Tied up at 41.

— Dime Update (@DimeUpdate) May 18, 2012"

After Wade and coach Erik Spoelstra were seen arguing in the third quarter, Clay Travis of Outkick the Coverage tweeted: 

"

If Dwyane Wade and Spoelstra get in a fight it's clear that the Miami Heat were created entirely for sports ratings.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravisBGID) May 18, 2012"

The always-vocal Not Bill Walton wasn't impressed when LeBron James and Danny Granger got into it in the third quarter: 

"

Danny Granger & LeBron James start pushing each other like childish school girls! Somewhere Bill Laimbeer is shaking his head in disgust.

— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) May 18, 2012"

Must-See Highlights

Paul George set up Roy Hibbert early on with a drive to the basket. Throw it down, big man!

LeBron's skirmish with Granger in the third.

Grades for Key Heat Players

LeBron James: B

LeBron James wasn't his usual unstoppable self, but he still had a solid game overall. While Dwyane Wade was absent, James scored and rebounded the ball. James had 22 points and seven rebounds.

Dwyane Wade: F

I can't believe this is happening to Dwyane Wade, but he's been awful thus far in the series. He shot extremely poorly in Game 3, turned the ball over at an alarming rate (five), and even lashed out at Spoelstra on the sidelines. Wade finished with five points and five turnovers, shooting 2-of-13 from the floor.

Mario Chalmers: A

The Heat have been waiting for a third player to step up ever since Chris Bosh went down. Mario Chalmers was that man on Thursday, scoring at a high rate and playing solid defense. Chalmers racked up 25 points, six rebounds and five assists. 

Grades for Key Pacers Players

Roy Hibbert: A

Roy Hibbert had been playing well throughout the series, but on Thursday he was a force, showing the determination and desire fitting of a big-time center. He carried the Pacers on both ends of the floor and finished with 19 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks.

Danny Granger: A-

After struggling early on, Danny Granger caught fire in the third quarter, going on to have a solid overall game. Granger ended with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists. 

David West: B-

David West was decent on Thursday, but Game 3 wasn't his best performance of the series. Nonetheless, he scored and crashed the glass. West finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. 

Deciding Factor: Rebounding, Three-Point Shooting

The Heat were not only thoroughly out-rebounded, they were atrocious from beyond the arc when James and Wade would dish out from the lane. Shane Battier was particularly bad from downtown. The Pacers out-rebounded the Heat 52-36, while the Heat were 4-of-20 from beyond the arc.

Game MVP: Roy Hibbert

Roy Hibbert gave the Pacers everything they could want in Game 3—scoring, crashing the glass and defending the basket. He was an absolute beast in the paint.

What's Next?

The Pacers host the Heat in Game 4 on Sunday.

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