Behind 41 points (17 for 25) from Dwyane Wade, the Miami Heat closed out game six of their series with the Indiana Pacers, 105-93, to advance to the Eastern Conference finals. Wade also had 10 rebounds, while LeBron James chipped in with 28 points.
Despite being without Chris Bosh for nearly the entire series and Udonis Haslem for game six, the Heat were able to end things early. Sometimes having two of the best basketball players on the planet is enough, writes Greg Cote of the Miami Herald:
Miami was the team missing major players Chris Bosh to an injury and Udonis Haslem to a suspension, and playing on the hostile road against an utterly desperate opponent - and still Miami was better.
Why? Simple. No over-analysis needed.
Miami was the team that had the best player in this series - the best player in the entire NBA.
Except LeBron James isn't always even the best player on his own team.
Sometimes that is Dwyane Wade.
For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Heat, visit Peninsula Is Mightier and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For the opponent's perspective throughout the series, check out Indy Cornrows and SB Nation Indiana. And for all your news and notes on the playoffs matchups, visit SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.