Heat clinch a nail-biting 103-102 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
LeBron James was the hero at the AA Arena on Wednesday night, with his buzzer-beating lay-up in overtime securing a 103-102 win for the Miami Heat over the Indiana Pacers.
James finished with a game-high 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his ninth career triple-double in the playoffs, as he inspired his team to victory which gives them an early 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
With Paul George making three free-throws with just 2.2 seconds left on the clock to give his team the lead, it looked as though Miami would be consigned to a shock defeat in the opening game of this series.
However, James was allowed to drive to the basket almost uncontested to drop in the easy lay-up to snatch victory away from George, who finished the game with 27 points after also hitting a three-point shot with just 0.7 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
Miami had five players end the game in double figures, with Chris Bosh (17), Dwyane Wade (19), Mario Chalmers (10) and Chris Andersen (16) all contributing to a hard-fought victory.
The Pacers have proven during the regular season that they are capable of challenging the best team in the league, and will hope to replicate this performance on Friday night when they return to the AA Arena for Game 2.
However, coach Frank Vogel has received some criticism having decided not to put Roy Hibbert on the court for the final two possessions when an inside presence was needed. Both Vogel and his players were bitterly disappointed to have lost, but they will now be fully focused on bouncing back.
COMMENTS