Pacers vs. Heat: Why Miami Is in Control Against Indiana

The Eastern Conference semifinals match-up between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers is locked at two games apiece in the best-of-seven series. The series, however, is not as deadlocked as it would seem. There are two primary reasons the Heat still have a distinct advantage in this series.

The Miami Heat are returning home for Game 5, and have the benefit of home-court advantage for Game 7 as well, if the series extends that far. 

Miami is 28-5 at home this season, and play with a level of intensity and efficiency that is nearly impossible to stop. Sure, the Pacers were able to take advantage of the Heat's ineptitude at the foul line in Game 2, but the rest of the series will not hinge on late-game foul shots.

The Pacers did impress many people with their performance thus far, but the Heat have now adjusted their mindset to prepare for the attack of the Pacers.

The Pacers are a very balanced team, featuring a dominant post-man in Roy Hibbert, and solid complementary players in David West, Danny Granger, George Hill and Paul George. 

They also appear to be playing very inspired basketball, possibly fueled for their obvious disdain for LeBron James as evidenced by their blatant fouls and jersey-grabbing.

The Pacers also benefited greatly from the absence of Chris Bosh, who is constantly under-appreciated due to the presence of LeBron and Dwyane.

Bosh is one of the most athletic and prolific power forwards in the game, and his injury has exposed the Miami Heat's depth. Udonis Haslem and Juwan Howard are not capable of playing key roles in any offense and are struggling to handle Hibbert in the post.

While this may appear to be the type of injury that could undermine the season of the Miami Heat, it will not happen in this series, which brings me to my second reason.

LeBron James has showed that he is poised to take over this series, regardless of any injury to Chris Bosh or dirty plays by the Indiana Pacers.

His Game 4 performance was one of the greatest in postseason history, on par with any Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson or Bill Russell performance.

James has always been known to "stuff" the stat sheet, but a line score of 40 points, 18 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and two blocks is nearly unfathomable.

He probably will not approach numbers of that magnitude the rest of the series but if he is able to rebound to go along with his facilitating, he will be able to mitigate the absence of Chris Bosh by himself.

It initially seemed like a huge void to fill, but James is talented enough to get the job done with Wade without Bosh.

The height disadvantage may be significant between him and a David West or Tyler Hansbrough, but his vertical leap and frame enable him to play physical basketball with players three or four inches bigger than him.

As was evidenced in the first-round match up against the New York Knicks, James was able to block shots against Tyson Chandler which shows he is essentially able to defend any player in the league regardless of height difference.

A huge factor for the remainder of the series will be whether James is able to continually play effectively in the post. Joel Anthony is a skilled blocker, but the Heat will need James to rebound well over Roy Hibbert to limit the Pacers' second-chance opportunities. 

If he is able to do that, which I believe he will, the Heat will not have trouble winning the next two games and avoiding a Game 7.