This Eastern Conference finals between Indiana and Miami could go down as one of the 
best in the past decade. It has been filled with drama and great action. With the Pacers tying the series with a home win in Game 4, it has become a best-of-three to decide which team plays San Antonio in the NBA Finals.
Below are the five keys for tonight’s Game 5 in Miami, the potential swing game.
1. Miami needs the Big Three, not the Big One: During Game 4, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade both had sub-par games that led to the Heat’s loss. Bosh attempted just six shots, three from behind the arc, while Wade attempted 15 shots and had 16 points.
Both have to step it up tonight if Miami does not want to go back to Indianapolis down 3-2.
LeBron James has pretty much been a one-man team this entire series, averaging 28 points. Without the help of Wade and Bosh, Miami looked like the 2010 Cleveland Cavaliers during Game 4. James cannot continue to be a one-man show during Game 5.
If Bosh and Wade want to get their groove back, they will have to stop being passive. Rarely have we seen either of them actually post up or attack the basket. Both have simply turned into perimeter players. Having an aggressive trio of James, Bosh and Wade should give Indiana fits on the floor.
If the true “Big Three” shows up tonight, Miami should cruise to a win.
2. Utilize Lance Stephenson even more: As was illustrated Tuesday night in Game 4, Miami cannot stop an attacking Lance Stephenson. He is a streaky shooter, but if he is set up more on offense it should help his confidence.
“Brooklyn”, as he is called by his teammates, looks completely different when not playing at home. During the season, he averaged nearly 3 less points per game on the road. The good Stephenson must show up tonight for the Pacers to win.
Stephenson is used as a driver to the basket by Frank Vogel when the ball is in his hands. Miami – especially Wade with his sore knee – could not stop him. Vogel should continue to design plays for Stephenson to drive to the basket on isolations or cuts to the basket. Getting a solid 15 points from Stephenson should help Indiana.
On defense, Indiana needs to use Stephenson more on as well. As evidenced in Game 4, Stephenson had success against James late in the fourth quarter. His feisty attitude also helps as he was blowing in James’ ear at the free throw line Tuesday.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5EG_TRL4pE]
A confident and attacking Stephenson is a recipe for Miami’s demise. If Vogel uses him correctly, Stephenson will give the Heat nightmares on both offense and defense.