The Pacers finally know who their opponent will be for the Second Round of the playoffs. What are the things they need to do in order to win the series? In a glance I can foresee that Indiana will have their problems with Miami's guard rotation. Obviously Ron Artest cannot guard Wade, Jones and Butler at the same time. I would be counting on seeing a lot of this lineup to defend against Miami's guards: C- Jeff Foster PF-Jermain O'neal SF-Al Harrington SG-Ron Artest PG-Jamaal Tinsley Moving Harrington to SF would allow Artest to guard Jones or Wade. Harrington can have his way with Butler on defence but scoring against his tough defence is another thing. What does everyone else think? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Who knows? Maybe the stars will line up and Miami will be the team we play and I'll start. And monkeys could fly out of my butt and we can all jump on a plane and fly to Jupiter." -- Scot Pollard, on the match-up possibilities for the Pacers in Round Two.</div>
This is going to be a good series. Miami has really suprised me this season and their play in the post season has really been nice. But I do think that Indiana will win this series.
This is personally gonna me my favorite along with the Hornets-Miami, Lakers-Spurs series. I'm happy that Miami made it, I think they have a better chance than the Hornets this season. A matchup I can't wait to see is Odom and J'O'neal. That is going to be killer, especially since Odom has shown his true game, although he'll probably get dominated a lot of the time. I just feel sorry for anyone having to face Indiana, "Artest" is there. Miami works real hard and has both skill and talent, but I think they'd only have chances of winning if Wade is consistent, that means he needs to be on home court.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Magic Johnson:</div><div class="quote_post">Miami works real hard and has both skill and talent,.</div> Hard to have one but not the other... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">but I think they'd only have chances of winning if Wade is consistent, that means he needs to be on home court.</div> Well looking over Dwyane's season numbers, his stats at home and on the road are not significantly different. Personally I think he holds the key to Miami's game - if he can get hot early in games, it means Rick Carlisle may be forced to switch Artest to him. This in turn creates a mismatch with either Caron Butler or Eddie Jones, who will get a smaller opponent (like Tinsley) in this case, and use it to their advantage in the post. Personally, I don't think this series will be close. However, I would love to see Miami put up a real fight, as they have been magnificent this season.
The Heat need to play well on the road, they won all 7 last series at home, they need to take a game or 2 from Indy in Indy. Dwyane should have a good series, but Al Harrington will shutdown Eddie Jones. If Caron Butler can play at a high level like he did in game 7. This should be a good series, but I think Indy should dominate it...I love the matchup between JO and Odom.
It'll be a harder matuchup than the Hornets, and the Pacers might have some trouble playing the Miami team. I been impressed with the showing against Boston though, so I'm going for a very bold prediction here. Pacers 4, Heat 0. Ice.
^Not one game Trip? Damn, even I'm not that cold. I have Indiana in 5. Miami is one of the most resilient teams in the East and they will push the Pacers for every point. Their past defence <font size="1">(held the Pacers to 39% FG's) </font>against the Pacers has been phenomenal despite losing all 4 games so that is something to watch out for. Can the Pacers compete at a high level after resting for so long? I think Carlisle has them ready and the first game will set the tone for the rest of the series. Game Preview coming soon.........
Heat Are Goin To Be Pounded On The Boards for real! Look At their small Line up, None of them have an answer for the pacers Big Men including: JO,Foster,Pollard,Bender,Harrington. And The Pacers Are 4-0 Against The HEAT This Season, Personally I Can Just Look A The Teams And Pick The Winner: PACERS!!
ok, the pacers have won 9 straight against miami.....that # will be at 13 really soon. the key IS stopping wade. but i think the pacers have a player who can do that.....and no, not artest....freddie jones. freddie jones is underestimated and is the 2nd best perimeter defender on the team, behind artest ofcourse. both of them are great leapers. both of them are energetic. both are 6'2"(listed 6'4" cuz they both stuff their shoes). carlisle is smart. He'll figure it out. these are the matchups that will cause the sweep. Freddie Jones----dwayne wade Ron Artest----Caron Butler Al Harrington-----Eddie Jones Jermaine Oneal----Lamar Odom Jeff Foster----Brian Grant the problem there lies in offense. the question, who runs it? In this lineup, the pacers have simply to run a simple post up play for Jermaine. HE WILL OVERPOWER ODOM! the pacers will sweep, once again, because of Freddie Jones!
