George, who was on the path to being the game’s hero, admitted he blew the play by getting too close to James defensively, which allowed him to drive past George. The Pacers would have preferred George play off a little bit and force James to shoot a jumper.
“I slipped up,” George said. “I just slipped up at the end.” 
And it’s a shame because George was absolutely incredible in Game 1.
Understand something: George (team-high 27 points) hit three incredibly clutch free throws to give Indianapolis its 102-101 lead. George also hit the 32-foot 3-pointer as time expired at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime tied at 92.
He was money. He was set to be the hero until James stole the crown. There were other good performances, too.
Heat forward Chris Andersen, the Birdman, finished with 16 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting and added three blocks. It was the most consecutive field goals in a Heat playoff game without a miss, surpassing the 6-for-6 performance by Alonzo Mourning.
Pacers forward David West (26 points) was killing the Heat early. He had 18 first-half points. But he only had eight after halftime.
Heat forward Chris Bosh (17 points, 15 in second half and overtime) tied the game at 99 with 49 seconds left in overtime with his three-point play on a tip-in and free throw.
Hibbert finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. But he wasn’t on the court for the Heat’s final two possessions. Vogel wanted to keep a smaller lineup on the court so the Pacers could easily switch defenders if the Heat ran a pick-and-roll.
It was a mistake. Had Hibbert been in the game, he could have protected the rim and prevented what was basically an uncontested layup for James.
“I’m 100 percent sure he would have been there,” George said of Hibbert.
Vogel said if the situation occurs again, most likely Hibbert will be on the court.
Said Vogel: “We’ll have to evaluate and see what we’ll do the next time. I would say we’ll probably have him in next time.”
It might not matter. After winning his first NBA title last season, it appears nothing can stop James. He has always been great. But now he is doing the one thing he had trouble doing previously – making clutch, game-winning shots.
James has to prove himself again in Friday’s Game 2 in Miami, and in every game thereafter. However, the way he’s playing right now, there is little doubt that will happen. As Wade said, James continues to amaze.
Chris Perkins is a veteran Miami-based sports journalist who covers the Heat for SheridanHoops.com. Follow him on Twitter.