The 2014 NBA Playoffs continued on Wednesday, May 28. The Indiana Pacers were on the brink of elimination, but found a way to extend the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat.
After an underwhelming first half, the final two quarters brought the NBA community something that it’d been longing for: competition. There was a stunning performance by a rising star, a surprisingly strong performance by an unlikely contributor and, most importantly, a one-possession outcome.
Here’s how it all transpired.
1. Paul George went off for 37 points and David West tallied 19 and nine rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers past the Miami Heat 93-90. Indiana started poorly, failing to capitalize on LeBron James’ foul trouble. In the end, George erupted for 31 points in the second half alone and extended the series to Game 6.
The Pacers trail 3-2 as the series heads back to Miami.
2. LeBron was held to seven points on 2-of-10 shooting while committing five fouls in 24 minutes. That’s the lowest number of points James has scored in a playoff game in his entire career.
It’s also the first time LeBron has been held under 10 points since Game 4 of the 2011 NBA Finals.
3. Rashard Lewis posted 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. That’s his most points in a playoff game since May 8, 2010.
4. Chris Bosh recorded 20 points and 10 rebounds. It was his second consecutive games with at least 20 points. This comes after he failed to record more than nine in any of his previous seven playoff games against the Pacers.
5. Miami made 15 3-point field goals to six by Indiana. The Heat also dished out 22 assists to 13 by the Pacers. Miami still found a way to lose.
Bonus Fact: 31 of George’s 37 points were scored in the second half.