When we think of LeBron James’ legendary Playoffs campaign in 2012, that of his first NBA title with the Miami Heat, we automatically think of his Game 6 against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. But this all-time performance might never have happened without another masterclass in the previous round.
We are May 20, 2012, day of Game 4 between the Heat and the Pacers in Indiana.
Large favorite at the start of the series after finishing the regular season with the second record in the East (46 wins – 20 losses), Miami is in trouble. Chris Bosh was injured in the first game of this conference semi-final, the Heat lost the next two after their initial victory, and the Pacers – a physical, defensive and above all uninhibited team – has the opportunity to drive the point home in front of the boiling hot public of Indianapolis. To make matters worse, Dwyane Wade is next to his pumps, physically diminished and very frustrated by the turn of events.
Who remembers when Dwyane Wade was trying to throw hands with Erik Spoelstra???? pic.twitter.com/JevIKIYu5b
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 27, 2019
In the midst of it all, LeBron James is trying to hold the house.
After all, it’s the King who has the most pressure on his shoulders. A lot of pressure ! He remains on a horrible performance in the NBA Finals the previous season, he still does not have a championship ring on his finger, and is the MVP of the 2011-12 regular season. For all these reasons, the King must lead the way for his team in Game 4 of the series, a must-win for Miami.
Like the previous meeting, largely dominated by Indiana (94-75), the Heat took on water fairly quickly. The Pacers inflict a 9-0 entry to Floridians and lead for almost the entire first half. LeBron does LeBron, with 19 points – 5 rebounds – 5 assists on the clock at the break. But no other Miami player exceeds the bar of ten units in the first 24 minutes. And his lieutenant D-Wade, author of a zero point in the first quarter, is once again in difficulty.
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All this to tell you about the crazy adventure of one of the legendary teams in NBA history: the Heatles of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh! ???????????? https://t.co/Vn6eiDewkY
— Nico TrashTalk ???? (@nicolasmeichel) April 24, 2023
The second half that awaits the Miami Heatles is the most important of their season. At 3-1 for Indiana in the series, the specter of a premature elimination would reappear the tip of his nose. At 2-2 with an upcoming Game 5 in Miami, the series would completely change dynamics.
Aware that he cannot meet this challenge alone, LeBron James knows that he must help his friend Dwyane to find his rhythm. Just before the break, the King sent a first caviar to Wade for an easy dunk, only his third basket of the match. The rear, MVP of the 2006 Finals, will bounce on this action to heat up seriously during the third quarter, in which he and LeBron are just going to martyr the entire Pacers team.
- The duo score 28 (14 for each) of Miami’s 30 points in 12 minutes;
- The duo scored 38 consecutive points for Miami between the end of the second quarter and the end of the third;
- The score goes from 54-46 for Indiana to 76-70 for Miami.
It’s a real hurricane.
While D-Wade is in Flash Mode, James is in Steamroller Mode. There is Roy Hibbert and his 2m18 in the racket? Never mind. And-1, floater, penetration on game in transition, fouls caused, the King weighs very heavily on the defense of Indy. LeBron also takes advantage of several caviars from Dwyane to drop big tomars, before returning the favor. The Pacers of Paul George, Danny Granger and Co. can no longer follow.
LeBron James & Dwyane Wade against the Pacers in 2012! What a time to be a Heat fan ???? @DwyaneWade pic.twitter.com/POJqTJCUQA
— Misha Konygin (@gdfactoryclips) April 9, 2020
Now having the game in hand, LeBron and the Heat will not let go. Admittedly, the Pacers cling in the last quarter but James and Wade make sure to dash their hopes with the help of Udonis Haslem, author of 8 points off the bench in the final period. 101-93 for Miami final score, 2-2 in the series.
LeBron James’ stat line? 40 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists in 44 minutes, 14/27 shooting and 12/16 free throws, all this while having to deal with David West or even Roy Hibbert in the absence of Chris Bosh. A simply monstrous performance, which represents a first turning point in the Heat’s victorious journey in the Playoffs that year. Miami will indeed win 4-2 in this series, before dismissing Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals, then the young guard of the Thunder in the NBA Finals. So many victories that might never have happened without this famous Game 4 in Indiana.
An underrated masterpiece, but a masterpiece nonetheless.
2023-05-20 13:32:00
#LeBron #James #Pacers
