The 2 best teams in the Eastern Conference face off on Sunday in game 1 of the Eastern Finals. Last year, Indiana surprised everyone by pushing the Heat to the brink before faltering in a Game 7 loss as the Heat won a second straight crown. This season, the Pacers made it clear from the start they wanted the No. 1 seed to assure Miami had to play in Indy if there was a Game 7. Nobody has been more inconsistent in these playoffs than Roy Hibbert, and yet nobody may be more crucial than Hibbert in this series. A year ago, the All-Star center caused so many problems that Miami signed injury-prone Greg Oden. After an abysmal start to the playoffs, Hibbert regained his footing against Washington. But if the Pacers are going to win this series, they need Hibbert to play well every night on both ends of the court.
Indiana finished the regular season with the best home record in the league (35-6). There is a lot of star power in this series, but ultimately, it will come down to defense. Indiana had one of the league's stingiest defenses all season. Not surprisingly, the Pacers have won in the postseason, too, when they've been solid defensively. This is a talented group. I have said it before. The Pacers are a #1 seed for a reason and the Heat are the team they've been waiting for all season. The Pacers 5-2 ATS last 7 at home vs the Heat and revenge from the playoffs last year. Let plays the Indiana Pacers in game 1 on Sunday as the home court will be the difference maker.