With the Indiana Pacers taking a 2-1 lead in this series, the first thing that could be said is there’s even more pressure on the Miami Heat to take care of things and get back into this series.  But it could also be said that the Pacers have a good shot at knocking off the Heat, and that could be some pressure for them, especially with momentum in their corner after the beat down in game three.  I’ll give each time their own side, and let me know who you think is feeling more pressure now.
Indiana Pacers
May 17, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) squares off against Miami Heat forward Shane Battier (31) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
You could say that there’s no pressure at all on the Pacers because hardly anyone besides Pacer fans were giving them a chance.  And even then, you weren’t sure how confident Pacers nation was.  But now, after that performance in game three, this team just has that look of knowing they can beat this Miami Heat team.  They want to prove people wrong.  They have a chip on their shoulder.  Just hope that doesn’t lead to problems of trying too hard.  It’s important to come out with that same confidence tomorrow for game four, and show the Heat they are for real.
Miami Heat
May 17, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) scrambles for a loose ball against Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Miami 94-75. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
The pressure is on the Heat because people were saying how easy of a road to the NBA Finals this should be.  They’ve got two of the top five players in the NBA on their team, so why are they struggling?  Now you add in the blow up between Coach Erik Spolstra and Dwayne Wade on the sidelines, which both guys downplayed.  But there’s obviously something there because Wade had to be pulled away.  Wade also didn’t look to be himself in game three as he struggled to find his shot.  Hearing on the radio, people are saying if the Heat don’t win it ALL this year, that’s right win the whole NBA title thing, then this team might have to be blown up.  Trade away one of the big three, and obviously get a new coach.  So there’s a bit of pressure right there to perform.  If they don’t win game four, that’s a 3-1 edge for the Pacers, and I don’t know the stat on teams coming back from that deficit, but my guess is that it’s not very high.
Game four tips off tomorrow afternoon and should be a great one to watch. Â If the Pacers are anything close to what they were in game three, this is the Pacers win. Â But if Miami can get Wade going again, and Lebron being Lebron, they might be able to steal the game at Indiana.
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