2012 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1: Miami Heat 95, Indiana Pacers 86

The Eastern Conference Semifinals rolled on Sunday as the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers faced off in Miami. The Indiana Pacers lead by 6 points going into halftime and held LeBron James to only 6 points in the first half. The Miami Heat would rally in the second half to defeat the Indiana Pacers by a score of 95-86.

When he was presented his 2012 MVP award, LeBron James said that it wasn’t the award he wanted and that the real award he wants in a NBA Finals trophy. This showed in Game 1 as LeBron James finished Game 1 with 32 points and 15 rebounds after only scoring 6 points in the first half. Dwyane Wade had 29 points of his own despite struggling from the field. Wade went 8-for-23 from the field, but went 13-for-14 from the free throw line. Miami’s Big 3 accounted for 74 of the 95 points scored in Game 1.

Chris Bosh left the game in the first half after suffering a lower abdominal injury and he did not return for the second half of Game 1. Bosh scored 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. The Miami Heat showed that they can close out a game after outscoring the Indiana Pacers 25-16 in the fourth quarter. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 22 points in the fourth quarter to help the Miami Heat defeat the Indiana Pacers.

Game 2 will be on Tuesday in Miami before the series shifts to Indiana for Game 3 and Game 4.

The leading scorers for the Indiana Pacers were David West and Roy Hibbert with 17 points each. Roy Hibbert also had a double-double by grabbing 11 rebounds as well. Darren Collison and George Hill had 10 points each for the Indiana Pacers as well.

For more 2012 NBA Playoffs coverage, check out my podcast The Onside Kick. The Onside Kick covers all the biggest stories in the NBA, NCAA Basketball, NFL, NCAA Football, and MLB.

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