Pacers at Heat Game 6 Pick

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat

Game 6

Friday 8:30 EST

May 30, 2014

Game 6 Line: Miami –7.5 (Subject to change. Click here for current odds)

Paul George’s Game 5 performance reminded us why he was once considered an MVP candidate during the regular season.

Putting his team on his back late in the game by scoring 31 points in the second half, George’s epic shot making and hot hand has given the Indiana Pacers some life, cutting the series total to 3-2. Although Indiana still needs to win two in a row, starting with Game 6 in Miami on Friday, George’s performance maybe the fuel that elevates his status from superstar to elite.

Throughout these playoffs, both bad George and good George have shown up in pivotal games. However, Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals didn’t see an elite player have a career night. Game 5 saw a great player take full advantage of the greatest player on the planet being sidelined because of foul trouble. Yes, George was dominant in the second half, but he didn’t have to deal with LeBron James’ hovering defense for 24 minutes. There was also no James to guard, allowing George to preserve his energy.

Give George credit for taking full advantage of James being consigned to the bench for longer than any Heat fan would’ve imagined. But I’m not buying into the greatness of George just yet. Let’s see him do it again with James on the floor. He can’t because he’s not that type of player yet.

This series should have ended Wednesday night. Miami dominated the first half and was in complete control until a ticky-tack foul forced James to the bench for the remainder of the third quarter. This allowed the Pacers to take control of the game, but by no means did they retake control of this series. Even with James looking out-of-sync and never finding his rhythm, the Heat were one-missed three-pointer away from their fourth consecutive appearance in the NBA finals.

It’s going to take more than a “Festivus” miracle for the Pacers to survive another game. We’ve seen it all postseason, the Heat rise to the challenge when the stakes are highest. Granted this isn’t Game 6 of the NBA Finals, but the Heat don’t plan on playing a Game 7. Dwyane Wade doesn’t want it – he needs his rest, and James won’t allow it.

The Pacers didn’t prove anything by their win in Game 5. They proved more in their three consecutive losses before their win against a largely LeBron-less Heat. Indiana hasn’t won in South Beach yet this series. It’s not going to start now. They simply don’t have the talent to beat the Heat, and despite George’s 37 points, they still don’t have the superstar that can go toe-to-toe with James.

It has come as a surprise that this series is still being played. The Pacers don’t belong on the same floor as Miami. Therefore, for the final time this series, we get to see who the kings of the Eastern Conference are. And just in case you didn’t know, they aren’t ready to give up their reign just yet.

My Pick: Heat -7.5 Bet these odds now!