Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals

            It all boils down to this, Game 7.  In a year where they won 27 straight games, the Miami Heat dominated throughout the regular season.  However, they have been struggling against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, leading to a decisive, winner take all trip to the NBA finals game seven.

            Why have the Heat not taken care of the Pacers like they have against the other teams they faced in

the finals?  The series has gone back and forth with each team winning every other game.  Lebron James gave the Heat the win in game one with a game-winning layup in OT.  Game two went to Indiana.  The Heat went on to crush the Pacers in games three and five, but the Pacers took care of the Heat in games four and six.

            What does the Heat need in order to advance to the NBA finals? They need support from the other two of the Big 3, Dewayne Wade and Chris Bosh. D Wade has been struggling through the playoffs with a knee injury and his performance has hindered because of it. In game six, Chris Bosh only had FIVE points, four rebound and zero assists.  That kind of performance won’t put them into the NBA finals. Also Lebron needs to stop acting like a child when he gets a call he doesn't like.  In game six, he was called on a foul when going up for a shot.  He didn't like it and ran across the court in a tirade.  That got him a technical foul.

            Game seven cannot be the Lebron show.  He can’t carry an entire team further into the playoffs.  The rest of the team needs to step it up, play with heart and passion in order to beat the Pacers.  The Birdman, Chris Anderson will be back from his one game suspension, so he’ll bring some energy up off the bench. The Heat need to be the same team than won them 27 straight, not the one man show of Lebron James carrying them all the way through the playoffs.

            It will be tough for the Indiana Pacers because they’re playing in south beach so the Heat will have home court advantage.  If Indiana can hold off the Heat once more, like they have shown they can do, they’ll earn themselves a trip to the NBA finals.  It will definitely be a great game to watch for any NBA fan out there.

Matthew Colan

Handy Toyota