MVP James lifts Heat over Pacers
Miami Heat forward LeBron James gestures after scoring a 3-point basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of Game 5 in the NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference finals, Thursday, May 30, 2013, in Miami. . (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
MIAMI – LeBron James scored 16 of his 30 points in a pivotal third quarter on Thursday to lead the Miami Heat to a 90-79 victory over Indiana and to within one game of returning to the NBA finals.
The reigning NBA champion Heat took a 3-2 lead over the Pacers in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals.
The winner of the series will face Western Conference champion San Antonio in the league’s title series beginning June 6.
Trailing 44-40 at halftime, the Heat out-scored Indiana 30-13 in a third quarter that may prove to be the difference in what has been a close, physical and sometimes testy series.
Fittingly it was James, who recently collected the fourth regular-season Most Valuable Player award of his career, leading the charge. He single-handedly out-scored the Pacers by three points and also handed out four assists of his six assists and grabbed four of his eight rebounds.
“That’s LeBron showing his greatness, and making it look easy,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “His engine in that third quarter was just incredible.
“He was tireless. He was making plays on both ends of the court, rebounding, covering so much ground defensively and making virtually every play for us offensively.
“It’s really remarkable and a testament to his conditioning and to his greatness — his ability to make big plays when you need them.”
The Heat will try to finish off the Pacers in Indiana in game six on Saturday and return to the NBA finals for the third straight year.
Udonis Haslem delivered a key effort for Miami, scoring 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Mario Chalmers scored 12 for the Heat, who forced 18 turnovers to help make up for quiet offensive nights from Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Paul George scored 27 points with 11 rebounds and five assists to lead the Pacers.
