Another series on the brink of dying prematurely has just been nursed back to health.
Unsurprisingly, the man largely responsible was Paul George, who managed 37 points and six steals, with more pickpocketing going on than when a group of narcoleptics take a night train through Italy.
George was simply fantastic. His steals and finishes at the other end ignited the crowd and lifted his teammates. He barraged Miami with pull up threes and contested turnaround twos (and even threw in a contested, turnaround, buzzer-beating three for good measure) several of which had levels of difficulty usually reserved for circuses.
Don’t try this at home kids, you’re watching a highly trained professional.
Lance made an absolute nuisance of himself all night, you’ll be surprised to learn. His headline acts included inviting himself into a Miami huddle, and blowing in LeBron’s ear.
In related news, Stephenson will enter the dunk contest next year and attempt a variation of Gerald Green’s cupcake dunk. Rather than blowing out a cupcake, Stephenson will soar into the air and blow into LeBron’s ear before dunking.
Enjoy watching this man play before someone chokes him. There are red cordial-fuelled five-year-olds who are less irritating. Lance also made legitimately good (and still equally irritating) basketball plays, namely, stealing the ball from Lebron and handing him his firth foul, all within one crisp sequence.
Speaking of LeBron, he finished with a career playoff low seven points, on 2-10 shooting in 24 minutes as foul trouble, much like Stephenson, plagued him all night.
Meanwhile, Rashad Lewis is back from the dead, at least momentarily. Lewis hit 6-9 triples for 18 points, including a clutch corner three which game Miami a real chance to win the game.
The contest finished in an all out long range shootout, featuring contributions from Dwayne Wade, LeBron, Lewis, multiple George bombs, a Chris Bosh banker, and a botched Bosh would-be game winner from the the corner.
I’ll let Mark Jackson break down the final play. Thanks to Jesse Stevens for bringing this fine piece of Mark Jackson handy work to my attention by sending me this:
Mark Jackson before Miami’s final possession: “Hibbert shouldn’t be in the game, protecting the basket in this situation is overrated.”
Mark Jackson after Miami’s final possession: “Exactly what we spoke about – rim protection forcing a contested three ”
I’m not sure what the head of ESPN said when he heard that, but safe to say it was something along these lines:
While Indy are toast if they lose Game 6, Miami may be up against it themselves if they can’t get the job done in 48 hours’ time.
Dropping a second straight game to the Pacers and then heading back to Indy for Game 7 is just asking for trouble, and Lance Stephenson will be more than happy to provide it.
mushi
Guest
"afraid" I would have thought it is the smart thing to do draw the defence and pass the ball to an open guy that can shoot.
Clark
Guest
Lance Stephenson is hilarious, his flop with LeBron on 5 fouls was immense. Paul George was red hot in that second half as well, schooled Dwayne Wade on many occasions. I think game six will be a lot closer than people are assuming. I know Miami haven't lost a home game yet, but guys like Roy Hibbert (who has been down on form) have stepped up in Indiana's deciding games these playoffs. I think if Miami win game 6, it will be Ray Allen saving LeBron's skin once again (who has been afraid to take the last shot on many occasions, usually passing to Bosh).
Ryan
Guest
Referring in game 5 was farcial. "home-cooking" gone a little bit to far.
astro
Guest
The best part of Stephenson blowing in Lebron's ear is Lebron's reaction...Just shakes his head at the stupidity of it all. Stephenson (the "trained professional"?) talks trash before game 4 to LBJ, and then goes scoreless for 3 quarters...only to come back in game 5 and agitate Lebron again because his team is up on the scoreboard, and he's a scorching 4-11. He also picked up his second flopping fine of the series... Meanwhile Paul George complains of "home cooking" in Miami after game 4, and says his team outplayed the Heat despite losing by 12pts, and then says nothing after game 5 where the Heat shoot 8 free throws to the Pacers 22, and James picks up a bunch of early fouls, except for "I got hot"... The attitude of the Pacers in this series has been really disappointing. I can't say I was ever a big Pacers fan, but the comments and behaviour of their 'star' players has been pathetic and immature. Their mental fragility is very clear now, and its easy to see why they were very nearly ousted by the Hawks in round 1. Great read on them from Jason Whitlock: http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/11001189/whitlock-pacers-trolling-takes-toll-fans?ex_cid=espnapi_public
Joe
Guest
Miami will destroy them in Game 6 Friday night. Last nights game was a farce.Lebron picks up 3 quick fouls in 1st half & then a 4th foul right at start of 2nd half that made him almost a non factorin the game. The NBA did all they could to help Indiana get the win & force Game 6 prime time Friday evening Even with all the help from refs in the FT category the Pacers still barely hung on to win If Joey Crawford is the head official on Friday night take the Heat BIG Even without Crawford there Miami will still win by 10++pts
mushi
Guest
Hmm i wonder how confident the pacers would be - I mean if they can't stomp the life out of a team on theri home court with James off the floor for two quarters... they are going to be in trouble. the other issue is I'm a big Paul George fan, and he hit some big shots, but I they weren't decisions to take those shots. Long pull ups and contested jumpers - surely they've got something else in their play book? Great that he hit them this game but I you've got to wonder how often that is going to happen. george still seems to lack the handle to collapse the defence late in a game