What We Learned from the Heat vs. Pacers

Last night’s NBA action saw the renewal of the best, and possibly the only one worth mentioning, rivalry in the Eastern Conference.  The Pacers beat the Heat 84-83 in Indiana to pad their lead for the number one playoff seed.  These two teams will meet in the Eastern Conference Finals later this year.  Accordingly, the game received notable attention due to possible implications.

Among the plethora of story lines, two stand out from the rest of the pack.  The first is Miami’s last offensive possession.  Trailing by one with two seconds left LeBron James elected to pass to a wide open Chris Bosh rather than force a well-defended shot.  Bosh missed the potential game winning 22-footer.  Notably, there has been a lack of hand wringing over LeBron’s lack of “killer instinct.”  It seems that last season’s dominant playoff run has finally answered the, is James clutch enough debate.  Even LeBron’s harshest critics have conceded that the King will deliver in the clutch, albeit with a blend of Jordan’s grit and Magic’s Showtime.

The second note from last night’s tilt concerns Pacer Lance Stephenson.  After a shoving match with Dwayne Wade, and the resulting double technical, Stephenson failed to control himself later in the game.  He foolishly picked up his second technical foul by getting into Wade’s face after his dominate offensive finish at the rim.  His taunt resulted in his ouster.  Admittedly, Indiana won the game and perhaps Stephenson has learned his lesson.

            However, if Stephenson has not learned from this mistake, it could be the deciding factor for Indiana’s playoff fortunes.  Stephenson is a key member of the team.  His ample natural talent yields the occasional triple double and consistent energy for the club.  Losing him in the playoffs would limit an already limited offensive attack.  Stephenson campaigned via social media to be an All-Star this winter.  A player of his caliber must be on the court during the Eastern Conference Finals if Indiana is to have any chance to dethrone the King.  What are the chances that James passes to Bosh for a 22-foot game winner in the waning moments of game seven with the three-peat on the line?  The Pacers will need all hands on deck at that moment.