Pacers vs. Heat: Five Players Who Must Step Up in Game 6
Imagine this: the Miami Heat win Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers, with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade scoring every single point.
It won't happen.
Sorry Heat fans, but there is no way they will move on the the Eastern Conference Finals if no one else on their team can step up.
On the other hand, if the Pacers want to force a Game 7, they are going to need big performances from a couple of their top players.
Here are five players who must step up in Game 6.
George Hill
With Danny Granger playing hurt, the Pacers are going to need Hill to become their go-to scoring guard. Hill has been the Pacers third leading scorer behind Granger and David West this postseason, averaging 13 points a game. If Hill can score at least 20 points tonight, he will make up for Granger not being able to play at full speed.
Joel Anthony
The Heat are in big trouble when it comes to their big men. Both Udonis Haslem and Dexter Pittman will not be available tonight due to suspension.
Anthony is going to have to play his best game yet on the defensive end. He is going to have to stay out of foul trouble and try to shut down the Pacers big men.
If Anthony gets in foul trouble, the Heat are going to struggle a lot down low.
Roy Hibbert
If there was any time for Hibbert to dominate, then tonight is the night.
The Heat are depleted and have no depth at the big men positions. The only bigs they have tonight are Anthony, Ronny Turiaf, Eddy Curry and Juwan Howard.
None of these big men match up well with Hibbert. If Hibbert wants to prove that he is one of the best big men in the NBA, then he needs to dominate these bench players.
Mike Miller
Miller was signed by the Heat for one reason, and he has not performed.
Miller is a deadly three point shooter, but this postseason it seems he has lost his touch. He has only shot 37 percent from behind the arc.
If LeBron and Wade could have the option of driving and dishing it out to Miller for three, the Heat offense would be the best in the league. Team's would not be able to slide as quickly on LeBron or Wade, if Miller starts hitting the three ball tonight.
Battier has been playing horribly on the offensive end this postseason. He is shooting 28 percent from the field and 33 percent from behind the arc.
Though some improved shooting would help out the Heat significantly, where Battier makes the biggest difference is on defense.
With Granger playing with a sprained ankle, the Pacers next leading scorer is David West. Battier is going to have to be all over West tonight. If Battier can shut them down, the Heat should be able to beat the Pacers easily tonight.
