King James Gospel
Fansided

Cleveland Cavaliers: A complete guide to the East NOT being weak

By Alishah Pearine

AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers practices his pre game ritual before a game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - NOVEMBER 19: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers practices his pre game ritual before a game against the Detroit Pistons on November 19, 2008 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JUNE 03: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat reacts after the Heat won 99-77 against the Indiana Pacers during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 3, 2013 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 03: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat reacts after the Heat won 99-77 against the Indiana Pacers during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at AmericanAirlines Arena on June 3, 2013 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

2012-13 Playoff Run

Eastern Conference Finals: Indiana Pacers 

The Miami Heat were on a roll this year, winning 27 straight games and finishing the regular season with an astonishing record of 35-2. The Indiana Pacers were really their only threat since the Bulls had lost Derrick Rose to another injury and the Bucks were just fawns back then.

The Pacers finished the season with a record of 49-32—beating the Heat 2 out of the 3 times they played. They also had the best defense in the league and held opponents to 90.7 points per game (2nd in the league).

With the emergence of Paul George and Roy Hibbert, the Pacers seemed much more formidable than last year. Bosh played extremely poorly, averaging 11 points and 4.3 rebounds on 37.7% from the field. Wade also had a relatively quiet series, averaging 15.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game on 43.6%.

LeBron averaged 29 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 51% from the field and 44.1% from 3. It wasn’t that Wade and Bosh choked, but they played poorly and without LeBron, it’s likely Miami doesn’t even make it this far. The Heat would go on to win the NBA championship against San Antonio in an epic 7 Game series.