Game Preview: Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers

Hello All, On Friday night, the Heat (41-34) will travel to Indy (site of the Blue Devils Final Four game the next night…just sayin’) to take on the Pacers (28-47). Miami leads the season series 3-0. PROJECTED STARTERS Heat Pacers PG Arroyo E. Watson SG Wade B. Rush SF Richardson D. Granger PF Beasley T. Murphy C O’Neal R. Hibbert STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN (Stats from Statsheet.com; 4/1/10) Effective Field Goal % The Heat is 17^th in the league at 49.3%; the Pacers are 24^th at 48.7%. EDGE: Heat Turnover % The Heat is 4^th in the league at 13.1%; the Pacers are 18^th at 14.4%. EDGE: Heat Offensive Rebound % The Heat is 20^th in the league at 25.7%; the Pacers are 29^th at 21.3%. EDGE: Heat Free Throw Rate The Heat is 14^th in the league at 29.7%; the Pacers are 15^th at 29.5%. EDGE: Even KEY TO THE GAME Last time around, the Heat limited Troy Murphy to a less-effective-than-it-looks 11 points and 12 rebounds. Danny Granger went 2-17 from the field, and the Pacers were lead by Brandon Rush. For the Pacers to win, they will need a bigger night from Murphy offensively (the Heat don’t have a good matchup for him when he is on his game) and for Granger to be his usual dangerous self. Always guard the inbound passer.