NBA Playoffs 2014 Weekend Schedule, Bracket, Preview: Pacers, Heat Prepare for Game 3 in South Beach; Paul George Still Uncertain
The No. 1 seed Indiana Pacers may be without their best scorer, Paul George, heading into game three against the Miami Heat. George suffered a concussion after Dwyane Wade fell on top of George, and his knee collided with George's head. The incidental contact came with about seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Despite the injury, George did remain in the game, and according to multiple sources, he did pass a concussion test administered by team physicians.
George has been very inconsistent in this postseason so far. One game he's very hot with pin point passing and accurate shooting, and then another game he's nowhere to be found. Take the first two games of this series for example. In game one, George shot over 50 percent from the field, scored 24 points, and had a game high seven assists. But game two was a different story: George shot an abysmal 4-16 (made just 2 shots before injury) and only scored 14 points.
In the end, Paul George is the x-factor for the series. The Pacers go as George goes because they already have a great defense.
The Heat will be hosting the next two games and have a golden opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were absolutely unstoppable in the final minutes of game two. Through the first two game of the series, Wade is the leading scorer with 50 points (27 in game 1, 23 in game 2). If Wade continues to play at this high of a level, then you can bank on it that the Pacers don't stand a chance, and the heat will win their fourth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals.
Lately, the front court for the Pacers has been stepping up after mediocre play in the first two rounds. Center Roy Hibbert seems to have regained his confidence after a few teammates went on a fishing trip and later the team removed Andrew Bynum from all team activities. Forward David West has been the most consistent player throughout the postseason, but even he is limited offensively.
The Heat's role players have been play well. Players such as Norris Cole, Chris Andersen and Ray Allen open up the court for Wade and James.
Game three begins Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
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