AB-Normal Game 1

Dwyane Wade...Chris Bosh...and 3 time MVP LeBron James were ready to square off against the Indiana Pacers in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The Pacers got out to a good start...but they would also get into foul trouble early in the game as well. The Heat shot 10 more free throws than the Pacers. So much for Pacers coach Frank Vogel calling the Heat "Floppers." I dont think that message got to the referees. The Pacers should be more concerned about getting out rebounded 45-38, and out of the 45 rebounds Miami got, 15 of them were offensive. Maybe thats the reason they lost. Or, how about letting 2 players (LeBron James and Dwyane Wade) outscore your entire team in the 2nd half 42-38. And if you dont think that was the problem, you can then turn your attention to your all star forward shooting 1-10 in the game. Maybe the Pacers should be more concerned about themselves, rather than trying to get referees on their side.

A bigger issue has arrived for the Miami Heat. All star forward, Chris Bosh was injured late in the first half while driving to the basket. Bosh sufferd a lower abdominal injury and did not return to the game. He had 13 points in the first half on 6-11 shooting.  An MRI revealed an abdominal strain, and the team said that he will be sidelined indefinitely. Does the game plan change for the Heat and Pacers? Maybe a little, but not much.

Pacers coach Frank Vogel said, "Our plan isn't going to change dramatically...with Bosh in the lineup we understand LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are major threats. With him out of the lineup we understand they're major threats. There's not a lot of differences in how you're going to approach the game. Obviously it helps not having Bosh's scoring ability out there, but they have other guys."

It will be interesting to see if Vogel will really sticks to his guns by not changing his game plan, or if he tries to double LeBron or Wade when they catch the ball and make the other players beat them. I dont think he really wants to just let them play one on one the whole game and keep his starting unit in foul trouble for an entire series. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Miami at 7 on TNT.