Slam Dunk Central

Three things that are certain in this life: death, taxes and the Indiana Pacers beating the Miami Heat on a regular basis. Granted tonight’s game wasn’t a massacre, the Pacers made clutch shots when it counted - in this case late 4th quarter. Indiana would rally to squeak past Miami 106-103 at Miami Saturday night.Miami made nine of its first 10 shots and shot 61% from the floor, yet were only ahead 55-52; that was mainly because Indiana dominated the offensive boards, which kept them in the game. The third quarter was close, with multiple lead changes and 6 ties in the period alone, but Miami would take to the fourth quarter a slim 79-78 lead. Indiana led by 11 midway through the final quarter, but Miami rallied and pulled to within 103-100 on a free throw by Heat reserve guard Daequan Cook with 39.5 seconds left in the game.

The Heat put a stop on Indiana’s next possession, but Pacers center Jeff Foster grabbed the offensive rebound and guard Kareem Rush’s layup with 5.8 seconds left put Indiana up by 5. Miami’s Ricky Davis made a 3-pointer to make it 105-103 Indiana, but Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley made a free throw to ice the win for Indiana. Indiana’s high scorer was Tinsley with 26 points , while Jermaine O’Neal added 24 in a solid effort. Danny Granger poured in 16, while Rush chipped in 14 in only 18 minutes of floor time.

Miami was led by Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem with 24 points each; Wade also dished out 9 assists while turning the ball over 8 times. Cook added 14 while Davis chipped in with 13 and 9 boards. Shaquille O’Neal had a poor outing with only 12 points and 3 rebounds. Indiana (12-12) flies north to take on the New York Knicks Monday night, while Miami (6-17) remains home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves - also on Monday.

Stumble it!