NBA Playoffs 2012: Rapid Reaction to the Miami Heat's Game 6 and Series Win

The Miami Heat’s decisive 105-93 win in Game 6 doused the Pacers' playoff aspirations. Dwyane Wade led Miami, who will face either the Boston Celtics or the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

Here are some thoughts and comments following the Pacers’ loss.

Danny Granger’s Injury

All the questions and concerns regarding Danny Granger’s ankle seemed to dissipate after the first quarter. Granger got off to a hot start, dropping nine points in the first quarter. He even showed the ability to move with LeBron laterally on the defensive end. 

As the game progressed though, Granger seemed slower, his production waned and LeBron abused him on the offensive end.

Turnovers

The Pacers lost out on far too many possessions. Their ball handlers struggled to hold onto the rock, and their bigs failed to remain set on screens. 

Indiana’s second unit of Darren Collison and Leandro Barbosa seemed especially fond of handing the ball over to the Heat, combining for 5 of the Pacers’ 20 turnovers, despite playing a mere 25 minutes between the two of them. 

Both Tyler Hansbrough and Roy Hibbert got caught on moving picks, costing the team two vital possessions. 

The bottom line is that you can’t expect to win a playoff game when you are so careless with the ball. It was a miracle that they were even in it in the closing minutes.

David West and Roy Hibbert

The Pacers pounded the ball inside early, exploiting the Heat’s depleted frontline. 

David West seemed to be the focus of the Pacers’ offensive attack early, taking advantage of the Battier mismatch down low, while Hibbert owned the glass and got easy looks at the rim. 

For some reason though, as the game progressed and the Pacers amassed a comfortable lead, they forgot about their bigs.

West and Hibbert put up a paltry 13 combined shots in the second half, despite shooting well over 50 percent from the field. 

This undoubtedly contributed to their deficit going into the fourth, and the loss overall.

Mike Miller

Miller was instrumental in the Heat’s win. His three-point barrage not only provided much needed bench production, but also opened driving lanes for both Wade and James. 

Throughout the series, Pacers’ defenders were able to commit to the painted area because of the Heat’s inability to make shots from deep, but Miller’s presence had them second-guessing on Thursday night. 

This is the Mike Miller that Miami had expected to get when they paired him with the Big Three last season, but, unfortunately, his performances haven’t matched his paychecks. 

If Miller can keep his hot hand going and become a reliable three-point threat from here on out, the magnitude of Bosh’s absence will be diminished.

D-Wade

The Pacers had absolutely no answer for Dwyane Wade who dropped 41 points, including 20 in the second period. 

Every facet of Dwyane’s game was on display tonight, and he seemed to contour his offensive assault to the weaknesses of each and every defender that was thrown at him. 

Leandro Barbosa, Dahntay Jones and Paul George all took stabs at Wade, but none of them seemed to even bother the former Finals’ MVP. 

Flash’s post up game, mid-range jumper and giant-killing floater were all on point. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt to have a little bit of love from the glass on your side, either.

Check Out: The Bench Review