Read a preview and watch a live stream of the Heat vs the Pacers.
Where: Game 5 – Eastern Conference Finals – Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis.
When: Thursday May 29, 01:30 BST
Watch live: Click here to watch on BT Sport online!
The Indiana Pacers face a must-win Game 5 against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night if they are to stay alive in the Eastern Conference Finals.
With the excuses rolling for the Pacers, they must put everything into Thursday night otherwise they face the prospect of being eliminated in the post-season for the third consecutive year by the two-time defending champions.
Paul George was fined after suggesting that the officials were favouring Miami last time out, Roy Hibbert blamed the game-plan for his inability to influence proceedings, and Lance Stephenson was made to regret his comments on LeBron James with the latter producing a big performance.
As a result, coach Frank Vogel will be eager to see his players regain their focus on the game as opposed to any outside factors, and with the series returning to Indiana, they will have a good chance to at least exert some pressure on the Heat and see where it takes them.
While James and Dwyane Wade have been influential thus far, Chris Bosh stepped up in a big way in Game 4 with 25 points and the visitors will need the same with injury concerns ahead.
Both Ray Allen and Chris Andersen are doubtful with hip and thigh problems respectively, and so there is still much to play for from a Pacers perspective if they can somehow force a Game 6 and see how the champions react.
David West and Paul George have been able to steady the ship in recent games as those around them suffer from inconsistency, but it will need a shared effort and increased urgency and energy on the defensive end to get them back into this series.
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