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2012 NBA Playoffs, Heat Vs. Pacers: LeBron James Says Missed Free Throws Didn't Cost Miami Game 2

2012-05-16T12:01:03Z

After George Hill missed two free throws in the fourth quarter, and an opportunity to extend the Pacers lead to three, LeBron James had a chance to tie the game or put the Heat up one with a pair of free throws of his own.

As the story goes, James missed those free throws -- see below [via CBSSports]:

James doesn't think his missed free throws are the reason the Heat lost the game, though.

"Those last two didn't go for me," he said, according to FoxSportsFlorida.com. "The game isn't lost or won with those two free throws but I definitely want to come through for my teammates. But I'll get another opportunity. I know I'll be at line again in that situation."

Maybe it's best for LeBron James and the Heat if he doesn't get another opportunity. James shoots just 59-percent from the stripe in the final minute of regulation or overtime of one-possession games this season while his teammates hit 87-percent (13-for-15).

Fatigue could definitely be a factor in that, as James typically carries his teams to the fourth quarter. In 43 minutes on Tuesday night, he had a game-high 28 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a NBA playoff high six steals. James is an easy target, especially since he has a little bit of a track record of disappearing in the fourth, but remember Wade missed a layup in that final minute that he makes 'ten out of ten times' and their teammates scored just 23 points combined in the game, fewer than both James and Wade (24) individually.

For more on the Pacers, head over to Indy Cornrows. For more coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA hub.

Familiar Name - Andretti - Atop Tuesday's Speed Charts

2012-05-16T02:20:06Z

IZOD IndyCar Series teams appear to be getting more and more comfortable with the DW12 chassis. For the fourth straight day, perfect weather enabled speeds to climb, with Marco Andretti setting a new top speed for the month.

Andretti, utilizing a strong tow during Happy Hour, led the way with a lap of 40.2367 seconds (223.676 mph), the fastest lap of the four days of practice. In the first four days of practice, only two teams have topped the speed charts - Andretti Autosport and Sarah Fisher-Hartman Racing have alternated days atop the lists.

Helio Castroneves, driving the No. 3 Shell V-Power/Pennzoil Ultra Team Penske Chevrolet, was second with a lap of 222.025 mph and James Hinchcliffe (221.864) was third in the No. 27 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet. Graham Rahal's No. 38 Service Central Honda was fourth fastest (221.855) with Ryan Hunter-Reay fifth in the No. 28 Team DHL/Sun Drop Citrus Soda Chevrolet (221.814).

Still, Andretti was realistic about where his car his in terms of straight speed, remarking:

I'm really pleased with where we are at with the race car so far. I have just been really working on the car in a pack, and just trying to stay flat in traffic. We have the car to the point now that I am confident to say we would be the ones to beat if the race was today. The speed on its own, I'm a little concerned about. I've said it before, I'll say it again, if we start 33rd, we can still win this race.

The reason for that optimism was just how fast his car has been in traffic, and with just how easy the No. 26 RC Cola Chevrolet has moved through traffic:

These things, it is just obvious looking at them, they poke a huge hole in the air. I think it is going to be great for the fans, man. I don't think anybody is going to be able to lead for more than a couple of laps because the leader is just a sitting duck. You get such a great tow. There is going to be a lot of passing. The thing I am concerned about is the last minute because what happens is you get a decent tow, but then that last couple of car lengths, it really sucks you in, so a lot of guys are going to be, 'No, I can't get him, can't get him'. Then they are going to feel that, and they are going to be doing last-minute dive-bombs. That will be interesting, but you just have to be heads-up. That's all.

Teams will likely start gearing up for qualifications as the week moves on; for Fast Friday, the teams will each receive an extra 40-50 horsepower via a boost in turbochargers.

2012 NBA Playoffs, Pacers Vs. Heat Game 2: Indiana Hangs On To Even Series, 78-75

2012-05-16T01:52:44Z

In case you haven't heard it before (you have), the Indiana Pacers played Game 2 like it was Game 7 and they stole away Miami's home court by hanging on in the fourth quarter for a three-point victory, 78-75.

The Pacers took a nine-point lead into the fourth quarter, but the Miami Heat mounted a furious comeback, led by Dwyane Wade's 11 points, and took back the lead. Indiana responded, though, by regaining a three-point lead with just under three minutes remaining.

After a Wade bucket, the Pacers had a chance to extend the lead back to three, but George Hill missed two free throws. On the other end, LeBron James failed to convert on his opportunity to give the Heat the lead by missing two free throws himself.

Indiana wouldn't score another basket (just a couple free throws), but neither would the Heat and the Pacers would prevail when Mario Chalmers' three-point try at the buzzer was off the mark.

Get ready to hear about LeBron James' disappearing act in the final minutes, but the NBA MVP had a game-high 28 points, nine rebounds, five assists and an NBA playoff high six steals. If only he could have done a little more in the end, though, to help Wade make a last minute layup, right?

The series now moves back to Indiana for Game 3 on Thursday with it all tied up at 1-1.

For more on the Pacers, head over to Indy Cornrows. For more coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA hub.

2012 NBA Playoffs, Pacers Vs. Heat Game 2: Things Getting Chippy In Fourth Quarter

2012-05-16T01:28:59Z

The Indiana Pacers had a 15-point swing at one point in the third quarter, as they held a 10-point lead after being down five at the half. They ultimately took a nine-point lead into the final quarter after outscoring the Heat 28-14 in the third quarter.

The Heat have mounted a comeback in the fourth, but they may have received a huge break when Dwyane Wade was only called for a flagrant one on the following play:

Just moments later, Danny Granger got tied up with LeBron James after James cleared him out nicely for an easy layup. Granger appeared to come down on James' face and James reacted by throwing his elbows up into Granger's. Both players were issued a technical foul.

With a little over three minutes left in the game, the Pacers are up two, 74-72.

For more on the Pacers, head over to Indy Cornrows. For more coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA hub.

2012 NBA Playoffs, Pacers Vs. Heat Game 2: 20-4 Third Quarter Run Helps Indiana To 61-52 Lead

2012-05-16T01:03:05Z

The Indiana Pacers made the necessary adjustments at the half and outscored the Miami Heat in the third quarter 28-14 behind a strong 20-4 run to take a nine-point lead, 61-52, into the all-important fourth quarter.

David West scored seven in the quarter and Danny Granger -- finally -- put together a relatively good shooting showing in contributing six (3-for-7).

The Heat shot just 3-for-17 in the quarter while the Pacers shot 10-for-18.

LeBron James had six in the quarter, but he's showing signs of tiring; Dwyane Wade has played in just under 26 minutes in the game entering the fourth, so he could see an increased role in the final frame.

The Indiana Pacers are down 1-0 in the series and have said that they are playing this game like it's a Game 7.

For more on the Pacers, head over to Indy Cornrows. For more coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA hub.

2012 NBA Playoffs, Pacers Vs. Heat Game 2: Indiana Down 38-33 At Half

2012-05-16T00:18:40Z

Down 1-0 in the series, the Indiana Pacers are approaching Game 2 in Miami like it is a Game 7, like there is no tomorrow. They'll need to buy some buckets in the second half to avoid going down 2-0 and feeling like they've lost the series, because at the half, they trail the Heat by five, 38-33.

Indiana led the Heat 16-9 in the early going of the first, but failed to score a field goal in the final five and a half minutes and found themselves trailing 21-17 after the quarter. The Pacers shot 24-percent and put up a donut from beyond the arc.

The Pacers hit a couple threes and were better from the field in the second quarter, but managed even fewer points against the staunch Heat defense. Luckily for the Pacers, Miami was colder in the second quarter and only have a five-point lead at the half.

The Pacers have 12 turnovers in the game and the Heat have seven.

Danny Granger, who was 1-for-10 in the first game, was 2-for-7 in the first half. George Hill leads the Pacers with 10 points. LeBron James leads all scorers with 12 points and Dwyane Wade has added nine.

For more on the Pacers, head over to Indy Cornrows. For more coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA hub.

2012 NBA Playoffs, Pacers Vs. Heat Game 2: Indiana Behind 21-17 After Hard-Fought 1st Quarter

2012-05-15T23:35:21Z

The Indiana Pacers look strong yet again after one quarter of play with the Miami Heat on Tuesday, but trail 21-17 on the scoreboard after a five-plus minute field goal drought to close the period.

Playing without injured big man Chris Bosh, Miami is shooting just 42.1% from the floor, but the duo of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade continues to wreak havoc on Indiana's transition defense. The pair hooked up for a flashy give-and-go to set the tone in the early going (video below):

After going 4-for-17 from three-point range in Sunday's series opener, the Pacers have continued to struggle from the perimeter and are 0-for-5 from the outside. Considering how the Heat rarely relies on the three-ball, this is an obvious tactical edge that the Pacers have been completely unable to take advantage of throughout this series.

Despite taking an early lead with locked-in defense at the back end, Indiana missed its last seven shots to close the quarter and allowed James and company to wrestle the lead away. The combination of Danny Granger and David West, which has totaled five points on 2-for-7 shooting, will need to pick things up to keep the Pacers within striking distance.

For more on the Pacers, head over to Indy Cornrows. For more coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, be sure to check out SB Nation's NBA hub.

College Football Hall Of Fame 2012: Who Is Next For Purdue?

2012-05-15T19:35:55Z

The Purdue Boilermakers saw their ninth former player and 13th selection overall get chosen for the College Football Hall of Fame in Otis Armstrong on Tuesday, but the future looks bright for the Boilers to add a few more enshrinees in the coming years. As SB Nation's Hammer & Rails notes, the Boilermakers have several viable candidates that are eligible:

Rod Woodson - An All-American in 1985 and 1986, Woodson is one of the most dynamic players ever in the collegiate game. He single-handedly beat Indiana in his last college game and was a First Round pick in the 1986 NFL draft at No. 10 overall. Professionally he was an 11-time Pro Bowler, holds a few NFL records, and was put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot. The dude was so awesome he turned down a chance at the Olympics to keep playing football.

Of all those candidates listed, only Drew Brees is not currently eligible, as he is still playing professionally.

For more on the Purdue Boilermakers, check out Hammer and Rails. You can learn more about college football around the country over at SB Nation’s College Football hub.