INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Pacers coach
Frank Vogel walked into Monday's practice with a simple message for
players as they adapt to Miami's new wrinkle - using LeBron James in the
post.
He's not going to overhaul the team's philosophy for Game 4. They just need to execute better.
Less than 24 hours after blowing a
chance to take control of the series at home against the defending NBA
champs, the Pacers walked back into Bankers Life Fieldhouse trying to
figure out what went wrong in Game 3. It didn't take Vogel long to come
up with a few answers.
"We've got to do a better job on the
ball, we've got to be more active on our helps and we've got to double
(LeBron James) more," Vogel said before players watched the ugly
reminders on tape. "We're not going to double him every time he touches
the ball, but we'll look at some things and try to break his rhythm."
Anything would be helpful at this point with Indiana in desperate need of a win, now trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
They were hoping home-court advantage would help them take command of the series after stealing one in Miami.
Instead, James and his teammates
refused to give in against a Pacers team that has repeatedly shown it
will not back down from challenges.
After scoring 36 points in a Game 2
loss, the NBA's four-time MVP promised to make up for the two turnovers
in the final 30 seconds of that game. Did he ever.
James scored 22 points in Game 3 and
seized control of the offense by working from the post. The surprise
move allowed the Heat to beat the Pacers at their own game, outscoring
Indiana 52-36 in the paint and opening up mid-range jumpers for James'
teammates. The Heat wound up shooting 54.5 percent from the field,
setting a franchise playoff record with 70 points in the first half and
committing just five turnovers - a performance that even had the Heat
calling it their best game of this year's playoffs.
If Indiana intends to stick around a
while longer in the Eastern Conference finals, they can't fool around
with James in the middle.
"I'm much better than I was two or
three years ago," James said Monday when asked about playing the post.
"I've still got a lot of things to improve, but I could work down there
all game now. That's something I probably couldn't have done two years
ago."
Indiana has the more difficult job - making James less efficient.
The Pacers know what it will take.
Pacers center Roy Hibbert credited
All-Star swingman Paul George for making things tough on James
throughout the first three games of the series but acknowledged George
needs more help from teammates to protect the middle. Vogel, who has
relied almost exclusively on man-to-man defense, is now talking about
double-teaming the Heat's most versatile player.
George, a second-team all-NBA defender, has another solution.
"I've just got to battle and push him
out a little further," George said. "He's tough. He's obviously gifted
physically and he's strong, so it's tough but it's something I've got to
learn."
The bigger issue for Indiana may simply be staying the course.
Indiana looked nothing like it did in
Miami, when it pushed the Heat to brink in Game 1 and thwarted every
challenge Miami threw at them to hold on in Game 2.
On Sunday night, Miami started fast,
took control in the second quarter and never allowed Indiana to get
closer than seven. It was the first time the Pacers lost at home in the
playoffs and the 18-point deficit matched their worst home loss all
season.
For the Heat, this is nothing new.
They've won 23 of their last 24 on the road and have now set an NBA
record with five straight double-digit road wins in the playoffs.
Perhaps better focus.
"Coming on the road is tougher," Wade
said. "At home you can make mistakes and get away with it, but on the
road you can't make as many mistakes and you have to give yourself a
chance. That's all you can do."
The Pacers didn't get away with their
mistakes Sunday, and that has put them in the unenviable position of
needing a win Tuesday just to avoid facing an elimination game in Miami
on Thursday.
But to an Indiana team that has
relied on grit and determination all season, they know there is no
margin for error now. They must play their best game of the season
Tuesday night.
"It sucks playing with our backs
against the wall, but that's the situation," George said. "We knew
that's how the champions would respond. But every game is going to get
tougher and tougher. It's going to get tougher to score and we have to
learn to adjust on the floor."
