Indiana Pacers Vs. Miami Heat: Game 7 Preview

The Miami Heat will be hosting the Indiana Pacers in Miami at the AAA tonight. It's the first of four meetings this season between the Southeastern Division rivals, and the first of two games they will play in Florida. For the Pacers, this is the third game of a four game roadtrip. They lost, 96-88 to the Detroit Pistons on New Years Eve and beat the New Jersey Nets on Monday, 108-94. They go on to Boston to face the Celtics on Friday night. Miami is playing in the final game of a three game homestand. They destroyed the Charlotte Bobcats, 129-90 on New Years Day and lost for the first time in six games this season to the Atlanta Hawks, 100-92 on Monday night. Their five consecutive wins to open the season is a franchise record.

This past February 15th, Miami defeated the Pacers. 110-103. Dwyane Wade led the three headed attack by scoring 41 points along with 12 rebounds for Miami. Wade also had three assists on the night, including a highlight real 90-foot full court alley-oop pass to LeBron James midway through the first quarter. James added 27 points with six boards and five dimes, while Chris Bosh pitched in 22 along with eight rebounds. The rest of the team put up 20 points on 8-of-23 shooting. Roy Hibbert led four Pacers in double figures with 18 points.

Miami vs Indiana NBA Highlights 02/15/11 (via bballfansite)

Miami is coming off their first loss of the season, to the Atlanta Hawks at the AAA on Monday night, 100-92. James led the Heat with 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Bosh tossed in 19 with six rebounds. Wade threw in 12 with 10 assists. Shane Battier hit 3-of-4 from distance, scoring 11 off the bench while rookie sensation Norris Cole added 10. Joe Johnson led four Hawks in double figures with 21 points.

Atlanta vs Miami NBA Highlights 01/02/2012 (via bballfansite)

The Pacers beat the Nets in New Jersey, 108-94 on Monday night. Paul George led five Indiana players in double figures with 21 points on the night. The New Jersey Nets Deron Williams led all scorers with 22.

02/01/2012 Indiana Pacers Vs New Jersey Nets Highlights Game Recap NBA CIRCLE (via NBACIRCLE)

All-Time Series: 34-50

Game Time: 7:30 EST

Season Series: 0-0

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Standings:

Miami Heat: 5-1, first in the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference, tied for first in the NBA.

Indiana Pacers: 4-1, first in the Central Division, tied for second in the Eastern Conference, and tied for third in the NBA.

Probable Starters:

Miami Heat:

PG - Mario Chalmers

SG - Dwyane Wade

SF - LeBron James

PF - Chris Bosh

C - Joel Anthony

Indiana Pacers:

PG - Darren Collison

SG - Paul George

SF - Danny Granger

PF -David West

C - Roy Hibbert

Common Thread:

Neither team has any players that has played for their opponent tonight.

Team Milestones:

One more field goal for will move Udonis Haslem into sixth place, with 2,142, breaking a tie with Eddie Jones. Eight more assists will put him at 574, passing Rony Seikaly into 19th.

No other "franchise top 20" milestones concerning games played, minutes, field goals made, 3-pointers made, free throws made, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks or total points will be approached tonight.

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Team Leaders:

PPG:

LeBron James, 29.3

Dwyane Wade, 18.8

Chris Bosh,18.3

RPG:

Udonis Haslem,10.0

Chris Bosh, 8.2

LeBron James, 7.7

APG:

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, 6.5

Mario Chalmers, 4.0

SPG:

LeBron James, 2.0

Mario Chalmers, 1.8

Norris Cole, Dwyane Wade, 1.5

BPG:

Dwyane Wade, 2.0

LeBron James,1.0

Chris Bosh, Joel Anthony, 0.8