Conference Finals

Coming into this season the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers were expected to face off in the Eastern Conference Finals.  For much of the season these two teams appeared to be on a collision course to determine who would represent the east in the NBA Finals.  This year marks the first time two teams have played for the right to represent the east in the NBA finals in back to back years since the 2005-06 season.

Miami has gotten back to this point relatively unchallenged.  The Heat have posted an 8-1 record in the first two rounds.  This is a great sign for Miami considering the fact that they are attempting to advance to the finals for the fourth consecutive season.  Throw in LeBron James 2012 summer Olympics and you have the most worked team in the league.  This is the price of being good.

Indiana's route to this point has been shaky.  After beginning the season 15-2,  the Pacers looked like the team to beat in the east.  Today that hot start seems like ages ago.  The Pacers were pushed to the brink of elimination by the 38-44 Atlanta Hawks.  Although they took care of the Washington Wizards in six games, the series could have easily went the other way.  It took the Pacers 13 games to get through the first two rounds.  Despite their struggles down the stretch, Indiana still managed to capture the number one seed.  Multiple Pacers have been quoted saying the number one seed was the key to eliminating Miami.  The Pacers are exactly where they hoped they would be coming into the season.  Now all that's left  to do is finish the deal and slay the mighty Miami Heat.

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