Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat Right Where They Should Be

Mar 26, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) reacts at the end of the game against the Miami Heat at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 84-83. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

After all the “unpredictable” play0ffs that we have had, look who it is right where they belong in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat.  These two teams stepped out and showed that they’re top of the East and now they have a chance to prove to each other they’re the Beast of the East.

For Pacer fans, is there any other team you would rather go through to get to the NBA Finals?  For the Heat, is there any other team they would want to put away to make yet another trip to the Finals?  Maybe all that talk about multiple titles wasn’t out of line for the Heat years ago when they threw the biggest preseason title celebration people have seen.

I often compare this Pacers and Heat rivalry to the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.  Two teams always right there battling in the regular season and the playoffs.  Who did the Colts go through in one of the most impressive comebacks in NFL history to make it to their only NFL title? The New England Patriots of course.

With this Pacers and Heat rivalry, you do get that sense of some intense feelings towards each other.  For me, that’s what I really love about this.  Anymore in the NBA it’s all fist pounds, hugs, lovey dovey all before and after the game.  Hard fouls are flagrant fouls anymore.  Guys aren’t likely to turn up their intensity until it really matters.

But when the Pacers and Heat step on to the floor Sunday, you’ll see some real determination out there.  For the Pacers, this is the team they’ve been gunning for and now they have their shot.  You can say all day they don’t have a chance, I’m looking at you ESPN, but I really do believe in this Pacers team.

So I’ll throw out the prediction and yes, this is a big if, but if the Pacers can take care of business at home in the first two games, I really feel like it’s right there to take. I believe so strongly in this team, I’m going with the Indiana Pacers in six games.  You can call me out if they lose, but I don’t expect this to be a roll through by the Miami Heat like so many are predicting.