Heat vs. Pacers: LeBron and Wade Finish off Indiana

The Indiana Pacers had just defeated the Miami Heat 94-75  in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Miami's dynamic duo of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade had combined to score a disappointing 27 points total. Talking heads criticized the tandem for failing to deliver. Three games later, those same talking heads are now lauding James and Wade for their scoring exploits in the final three games.

James and Wade officially closed the door on the Pacers Thursday night, as the two combined for 69 points in leading the Heat to a 105-93 win. Miami won the series 4-2 to move on to the conference finals, where they will meet either the Boston Celtics or the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Game 7 between those two teams is Saturday night in Boston.

In their second year together, James and Wade have struggled at times this season. Many observers questioned whether or not the two could co-exist. However, in the final three games of the Indiana series, James and Wade dispelled any myths about their inability to play together.

Over the final three games, the pair showed the world why they are the NBA's best duo. James and Wade scored a total of 197 points combined. Wade, who scored only five points in Game 3, exploded for 41 in the final game, while his counterpart—James—hit 28.

What is so mind-boggling about Wade and James' numbers over the final three games is the percentage of points they scored combined. Miami scored a total of 321, with 197 being scored by Wade and James. When you compute those numbers, their percentage comes out to 61.4 percent.

The 69 points scored in Game 6 was the second time in the series the two had gone for at least 60. In their Game 4 win, James (40) and Wade (30) scored 70 of Miami's 101 points, accounting for 69 percent of the team's scoring.

Miami's unstoppable duo have scored 60 or more in the playoffs four times. No other current league tandem has matched that effort.

The rumors of Wade and James getting in each other's way are premature. Yes, their games are similar, as both are used to having the ball in their hands. Wade was the main option before James joined the Heat in the summer of 2010, but now with another player—whose game is comparable to his—Wade and James are sharing the load.

Throughout the history of the league, there have oftentimes been two teammates whose games are the same. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls and Elgin Baylor and Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers come to mind. 

All four players are in the Hall of Fame. Jordan and Pippen together won six titles, while West and Baylor did not win a championship together. However, Baylor and West complemented each other well.

Each player checked their egos at the door for the betterment of the team. It's easy for a player to be selfish and only strive for individual accolades. But, at the end of the day, the only things that matter are wins and losses.

Wade has already won a title with the Heat (2006), while James looks to win his first. Both players know all too well that they need one another if they are to win their first championship together.

If James and Wade continue to play at the pace they are playing, they just may become the first great NBA duo since Jordan and Pippen to win a championship.