NBA Playoffs schedule 2013: Heat, Grizzlies move to conference finals

The typical collapse/comeback narrative never really developed in this game, because the Pacers kept things close for the entire night. Miami never led by more than seven points, despite a playoff career-high 16 points on 7-7 shooting from Chris “Birdman” Andersen and a historic 30-point, ten-assist, ten-rebound triple-double from LeBron James.

The lead changed hands 17 times and the score was leveled on 18 occasions, as neither group got hot from beyond the arc (Indiana shot 4-14 from three, Miami shot 5-18). The Heat built up a healthy advantage in the paint with 60 points on crisp 30-44 shooting -- compared to 48 points on a middling 24-46 for Indiana -- and no two points were bigger than LeBron’s final bucket in extra time.

Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Miami, which means the Heat will have a full week of rest between games. Play remains in Miami for Game 2 before the series shifts to Indianapolis Sunday and Tuesday for Games 3 and 4. If necessary, the series will swing back to Miami for Game 5.

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET, Wed., May 22

TV, streaming info: TNT

After going into the locker room to get re-taped, the superstar displayed the kind of toughness his Bulls opponents are known for. Wade came on strong late, grabbing three rebounds and going 3-for-3 for six points, including the final, game-clinching dunk.

More than the flashy plays, he showed that he’s still one of the game’s true closers by scoring the Heat’s last three field goals. It just so happened that the highlight-reel play capped off a brilliant sequence that sealed the win. His two Euro-step moves before that were just as impressive, and even drew the attention of the league’s best player.

Matt Pineda has more on Miami’s comeback at Hot Hot Hoops:

Both teams shot under 40 percent from the field and under 25 percent from deep, but that grinding style of play allowed Memphis to dictate the tempo and style of the game.

Welcome to the Western Conference Finals, Grizzlies. Enjoy the moment in your own special way.

It was fitting after a game where Durant clanged incessantly. Although he ended up with 21 points, he was 5 for 21 from the field. The Grizzlies’ defense harassed as violently as usual, and he got to the line 15 times. But the wear-and-tear still managed to lead to a generally inefficient evening for the three-time scoring champion.

Randolph was burly, banging and generally unstoppable. He had his best game of a postseason where his average has been spectacular, finishing with 28 points and 14 boards. The whole array was working: the drive right, followed by a spin left for a too-easy bucket, the high-arcing 20-footers, even some nifty moves off the dribble. He drew tons of fouls, getting to the line 16 times, but wouldn’t miss until late.

No. Just no.

UPDATE: Actually, it was a shirt.

And here it is in video form!

Durant was somewhat absent, missing his first six attempts, a combination of the typical grit/grind Memphis defense and a surprisingly cold evening from the guy with three scoring titles. He got his points due to frequent trips to the line, although his three misses from the line were uncharacteristic for a guy who typically shoots around 90 percent from there.

The Grizzlies would come out hot in the second quarter, with their bench scoring eight quick points on an 11-2 run to put the Thunder down, 29-24. A pair of Durant free throws and a subsequent jumper would cut the lead to 36-35 with a little over six minutes left, but then the Thunder wouldn’t hit a field goal for the rest of the period allowing the Grizzlies to start to pull away with a 14-3 run.

It looked like the game was going to get out of hand early, as Miami went on a 22-4 run to start the game. The Bulls responded by toughening up on defense and refocusing on their identity. Miami shot 61 percent from the field and committed just two turnovers in the first frame. The Bulls, on the other hand, turned the ball over five times, resulting in 10 easy points for the Heat.

Our own Jason Patt wrote up a Game 5 preview and asked some important questions:

Playing at home in Game 5, the Thunder should come out with a passionate brand of basketball, but the Grizzlies aren’t exactly the kind of team to kowtow to intensity. With a wild one expected for Wednesday night, here are three questions that could define the game.

Without Westbrook, someone needed to step up and provide scoring punch behind Durant’s heroic efforts. As the team’s third-leading scorer during the regular season, shooting guard Kevin Martin appeared to be the most obvious potential Robin to KD’s Batman. Instead, Martin has struggled throughout the series against Memphis, rarely looking like someone who was among the most efficient scorers in the league during the regular season. Since starting strong with a 25-point, seven-rebound effort in Game 1, Martin has averaged 12.3 points on 35 percent shooting in the past three games.

The banged-up Bulls started the game 1-of-12 and were simply never able to get on track. Their 65 points and 25.7 percent shooting were franchise playoff-lows.

Here are three key questions heading into this possible elimination game.

The Thunder find themselves down 3-1 to the Grizzlies and begin their bid to avoid elimination on the road in Memphis at 9:30 p.m. Durant and Co. have been learning to how deal without Westbrook on the fly, but so far they’ve only learned how important the enigmatic and electric leader was to them on the court.

• Ziller: Don’t blame Kevin Durant