Pacers vs. Heat: Game 5 Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

That's how you make a statement. 

In the pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Miami Heat trounced the Indiana Pacers 115-83 for the mega home win.

The Heat shot a blistering 61 percent from the floor (43-of-70) as they set a new playoff record for shooting percentage in a playoff game.

The winner of Game 5 in a best-of-seven series tied 2-2 has gone on to win the series 83 percent of the time, and now all of the momentum resides with Miami.

It was an incredibly physical game that featured a vicious flagrant foul by Heat forward Udonis Haslem on the Pacers’ Tyler Hansbrough. A one-game suspension might be in Haslem’s future. There were multiple elbows and hard fouls throughout the night, as it’s become clear these two teams are rather sick of each other.

Once again it was LeBron James (30 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists) and Dwyane Wade that led the show as Miami recaptures home-court advantage in the series. 

Tweets of the Night

This game was incredibly intense, and we should have guessed as much with the pregame comments exchanged between LeBron and Danny Granger, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reminds us:

"

Based on what Heat said today about Granger & Pacers reaction, I got sense these 2 teams were officially sick of each other before this game

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) May 22, 2012"

The Heat jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back. Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star believed something was missing from the jump with Indiana:

"

It's very very early, but for the first time in this series, the Pacers look like they're just happy to be here. Lacking energy.

— BobKravitz (@bkravitz) May 22, 2012"

One of the big factors for tonight’s blowout was the frenetic pace the Heat were able to create. It seemed like a track meet at times between the varsity and JV. ESPN’s Tom Haberstroh has the eye-popping stat on just how one-sided it was midway through the third quarter:

"

Heat wanted to run Indiana out of the gym tonight. Fastbreak points: Heat 18, Pacers 2.

— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) May 22, 2012"

This was a blowout almost from the opening tip and it made big-time Pacer fan and Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock furious:

"

Embarrassing, gutless, clueless half of basketball by Pacers. Absolutely childish. Did Hibbert get a look last 4 mins? Battier killing West

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) May 22, 2012"

According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the refs did not agree on the penalty to hand Haslem after his vicious blow to Hansbrough:

"

Wow, referee Derrick Stafford wanted it to be a Flagrant 2 on Haslem and an ejection, but Jason Phillips sold him on a Flagrant 1.

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) May 23, 2012"

Must-See Highlights

After a Hansbrough technical on D-Wade earlier in the second quarter, Haslem took it upon himself to exact revenge by giving Psycho T a vicious and awful two-handed club to the face.

He was only given the Flagrant 1 (as opposed to the automatic ejection from a Flagrant 2), but I’d be shocked if Haslem isn't suspended for Game 6.

Did LeBron James undercut Granger?

On what looked like a routine three-point attempt by Granger in the second quarter, James closed out quickly and brushed up against his leg and lifted his body up in rather bizarre fashion.

Granger ended up spraining his ankle on the play and did not return. Was it an intentional move by LeBron?

Grades for Key Pacers Players

Roy Hibbert: D-

He is four inches taller than any player on the Heat, yet only had two free throws from the line.

Scoring eight points and grabbing 12 rebounds is not going to cut it if they plan on winning this series.

David West: D+

After shooting a horrific 5-of-13 from the floor for 10 points and four rebounds, he sprained his knee and had to leave early.

Horrible night for West.

Grades for Key Heat Players

LeBron James: A

James may not have had the eye-popping numbers of Game 4, but he was just as effective in all facets of the game with his near triple-double.

He does everything for his team and deserves a large chunk of the credit for this win. He simply didn’t need to produce in the fourth quarter.

Dwyane Wade: B

Shooting over 50 percent has become a rarity for Wade, but he made it look simple with multiple easy buckets that were a product of his willingness to run on the fast break.

But what’s up with his 7-of-13 performance from the line?

Shane Battier: B+

Before you could blink, Battier had already canned three three-point shots. He finished with 13 points and three rebounds as the player who stepped up to help LeBron and Wade.

Deciding Factor: Field-Goal Shooting

It’s pretty simple: Miami shot a blistering 61.4 percent from the floor (43-of-70), including 9-of-16 (56.2 percent) from behind the arc, while Indiana shot 30-of-89 for a 33.7 percent clip.

Miami came out of the gate on fire and kept it up for the entire game.

Game MVP: LeBron James

He was efficient from the floor, was very strong on the glass and was the top playmaker for his team. He registered yet another brilliant all-around performance to ensure his team goes back to Indiana with the lead.

Who says this guy can't play well in big moments?

What’s Next?

The Heat can close out the Pacers Thursday in Game 6 on the road. If Indiana is able to rebound and capture the win, the pivotal Game 7 will be back in Miami on Saturday.

Follow Eric Ball on Twitter