For the third time in four years, the Indiana Pacers find themselves on the brink of playoff elimination after just three games. The annual tradition of being the least competitive team in the postseason has this time benefited the Miami Heat, who move one game away from a second round berth.
On the Pacers side, a big third quarter allowed them to make it competitive after a laughable first half, but they proved incapable of competing in a close game down the stretch, allowing seven straight Miami points after Malcolm Brogdon had cut it to two with 2:21 remaining in the game.