Indiana Pacers Force Game 7 In Eastern Conference Finals With 91-77 Game 6 Win Over Heat (VIDEO)

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana staggered Miami with one more big punch Saturday night.

Now the Pacers have a fighting chance to pull off a stunning playoff upset.

Roy Hibbert did everything but pull out the boxing gloves in Game 6, finishing with 24 points and 11 rebounds, and continually contesting Miami's shots to help Indiana stave off elimination with an emphatic 91-77 victory over the defending champs.

Paul George scored 28 points, had eight rebounds and five assists, and the Pacers held Miami to 36.1 percent shooting as they booked a trip back to Miami for Game 7 on Monday night.

"Myself and David (West), we throw ourselves in the fray, in the paint. We like to muck it up," Hibbert said. "Paul and myself, we wanted to make sure we got this for him as well. We didn't want this to be our last game."

It wasn't.

Instead, after winning their first division crown since 2004, the Pacers are one win away from advancing to the NBA Finals for only the second time in franchise history. They lost to the Lakers 4-2 in 2000. They haven't played a decisive seventh game in the conference finals since losing to Chicago in 1998.

And amazingly, they've done it this time against the defending champions who many considered virtually invincible after winning 27 straight during the regular season, finishing with a franchise-record 66 wins and having won 23 of their last 24 road games before losing Games 4 and 6 in Indianapolis.

But the Pacers have pushed four-time MVP LeBron James and his high-scoring, high-profile teammates to the brink of elimination by punching back, and Game 6 followed a familiar story line. The Pacers had a 53-33 rebounding advantage, outscored Miami 44-22 in the paint and limited Miami's shooters to 16 of 54, 29.6 percent, from inside the arc.

James led the Heat with 29 points on 10-of-21 shooting. Nobody else scored more than 10.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

• Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem reacts on the bench during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. Pacers won 91-77. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert reacts on the bench during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Miami Heat in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. Pacers won 91-77. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James reacts during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. Pacers won 91-77. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) and center Chris Bosh (1) react in the bench during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. The Indiana Pacers won 91-77. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert goes up for a shot against Miami Heat forward LeBron James during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. The Indiana Pacers won 91-77. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers forward David West dunks against the Miami Heat during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) and Miami Heat center Joel Anthony (50) battle for a rebound during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James reacts after being called for a technical foul while shooting against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James reacts after being called for a technical foul while shooting against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers forward David West reacts after his dunk against the Miami Heat during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Indiana Pacers forward David West battles for the ball with Miami Heat forward LeBron James during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) reaches for a rebound against Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough (50) during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) shoots a free-throw against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat center Joel Anthony (50) reacts to a call during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. At right is Miami Heat guard Norris Cole. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, right, speaks with an official during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade reacts during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James gets fouled by Indiana Pacers forward David West during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat center Joel Anthony (50) during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert dunks against Miami Heat center Joel Anthony during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) reacts during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, left, shoots against Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert shoots against Miami Heat center Chris Bosh during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40| battles for a loose ball against Indiana Pacers guard George Hill during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Indiana Pacers guard George Hill and Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem vie for a loose ball during the second half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James dunks during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, left, takes a shot against Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) as Miami Heat center Joel Anthony defends against Hibbert during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert reacts during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Miami Heat in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) goes up for a shot against Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Erik Spoelstra

  Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts to play during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat guard Norris Cole (30) goes up for a shot against Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers forward Sam Young battles for a loose ball against Miami Heat forward LeBron James during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James hangs on the basket as he dunks the ball during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Miami Heat guard Norris Cole goes up for s shot against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat guard Norris Cole goes up for s shot against Indiana Pacers guard George Hill during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) blocks a shot by Miami Heat center Joel Anthony during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, left, and forward Tyler Hansbrough block a shot by Miami Heat center Joel Anthony during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James shoot against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat center Joel Anthony (50) blocks a shot by Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• LeBron James

  Miami Heat forward LeBron James reacts during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) drives the ball against Indiana Pacers forward Sam Young (4) during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) blocks a shot by Miami Heat center Joel Anthony (50) during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) goes up for a shot against Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) is fouled by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James falls as he drives the ball against Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) passes the ball to center Chris Bosh against Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) and forward Paul George during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) dunks against Miami Heat center Chris Bosh during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel directs his team during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Miami Heat in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

• Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem and Indiana Pacers forward David West chase after a rebound during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

• Indiana Pacers guard Lance Stephenson passes the ball to forward Paul George against Miami Heat forward LeBron James during the first half of Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, 2013. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

How have the Pacers done it? With Hibbert controlling the inside after adding MMA training to his offseason regiment.

"Roy Hibbert is making extraordinary plays in the pocket, poise in the pocket we call it," coach Frank Vogel said. "He's getting paint catches and just having great poise, great reads. He's not plowing over guys. He had a charge in Game 5, but has been under control."

It was everything an elimination game should be. The teams traded baskets and jabs, sometimes literally, and players ignored the bumps and bruises of yet another wrestling match that has made this tough-guy series compelling.

Both teams attacked the basket, sometimes with problematic results. Indiana missed about five dunk attempts in the first half and a series of short jumpers, too, costing them precious points.

The Heat struggled, meanwhile, starting the game just 3 of 22 from inside the 3-point line. Miami's Big Three ? James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh ? went just 14 of 40. Excluding James, Miami managed only 16 baskets ? eight 3s and eight 2s.

With Chris "Birdman" Andersen suspended for the game because of a shoving incident with Indiana forward Tyler Hansbrough on Thursday, the Heat couldn't keep up with Indiana's big rebounders inside. Even Lance Stephenson, who was not effective at Miami, finished with four points, 12 rebounds and four assists.

Indiana's loud crowd created a hostile atmosphere, too. Fans chanted "Heat Are Floppers!" sporadically throughout the second half, urging the Pacers to play harder, to defend better and to make another trip home. The only way to do that is to win Game 7 and avoid a second straight playoff elimination at the hands of the Heat.

For Miami, the stakes were so high that when James was called for an offensive foul midway through the fourth quarter, he lost his cool. James protested by running from one end of the court to the other, drawing a technical foul, and when Miami assistant coach David Fizdale showed his support for the league's four-time MVP, it drew another technical.

George Hill answered by making free throws and Hibbert followed that with a layup, ending any chance of Miami making a late comeback.

James said he was trying to avoid an ejection and would up spending the last 66 seconds sitting a few seats down from the Heat bench cheering on his teammates.

"Explain it? You seen it. It was total domination by the Pacers in the third," James said when asked what happened to the league's most dominant team on Saturday. "They made a lot of shots, we didn't get too many stops and we missed some very, very easy shots."

It was a complete reversal from Game 5, when Miami took control by outscoring the Pacers 30-13 in the third.

This time, against one of the league's top offensive teams, the Pacers gave up only six points in the first eight minutes of the quarter, using a 14-2 run to turn a 40-39 halftime deficit into a 66-49 lead with 1:15 left in the quarter. Hibbert scored nine in the quarter.

Miami did close to within 68-55 after three, but it was too big a deficit to overcome ? even with James running the show.

"They just flat-out beat us in every facet of the game. They just outclassed us in that (third) quarter," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.

The Heat rallied early in the fourth, taking advantage of Indiana's 1 for 6 start from the field. When Mike Miller hit back-to-back 3s, the Pacers' lead was down to 70-64 and when James scored on a layup with 5:54 to play, the Heat were within 72-68.

But the run ended abruptly when George hit a 3, Miami's Joel Anthony was called for a loose ball foul on the offensive end and David West grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a dunk to extend the lead to 77-68. Then came the technical flurry that finished it off.

West scored 11 points and had 14 rebounds despite playing with an upper respiratory infection that prompted Vogel to send him home early from the Pacers' morning shootaround.

He played with a fighter's mentality and gave the Pacers one more shot at the champs.

"We've come too far not to play," West said. "I'm not feeling good now although this win helps. I'm sure I'll be better tomorrow and I'll be ready for Monday."

Notes: Miami matched its season-low point total (77), which also occurred against the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Jan. 8. ... Miami finished the season 1-4 at Indiana, losing twice in the regular season and twice in the playoffs. ... After the game, Hibbert criticized the media for not recognizing the Pacers as a good team ? using a foul two-word expletive that will almost certainly draw a fine from the league. ... Former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine performed the National Anthem on a harmonica.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/02/indiana-pacers-miami-heat-game-6_n_3373453.html

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