Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat started off slow, taking over two minutes before the first points were scored by Roy Hibbert. The Pacers' two primary scorers, Hibbert and Paul George, took the team to a 44-40 first-half lead. George has a game-high 15 points going into the half.
Pacers vs. Heat score update, Game 5: Pacers lead Heat, 44-40, through the first half
The Pacers have leaned on their two stars, Paul George and Roy Hibbert, to take a four-point lead into halftime.
Things got chippy between Tyler Hansbrough and Chris Andersen in the second quarter. Andersen body-checked Hansbrough, then proceeded to shove him after he was back on his feet. The referees handed called a technical on both players and also gave Andersen a flagrant 1 for the play.
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Hibbert and Paul George combined for all 23 of the Pacers’ first-quarter points. It wasn’t until the 9:02 mark in the second quarter that another member of the Pacers scored. The Pacers held the lead through the first half, but Miami had a strong second quarter and had the game tied with under two minutes left in the half.
Let’s take a look at the three keys Mike Jones outlined going into Game 5.
1. Did the Pacers awaken a sleeping giant?
LeBron James did not assert himself to open the game. He settled for outside jumpers through the first half instead of driving to the rim. James only scored 11 points in the opening half and was outplayed by George on both ends of the floor. He also had three turnovers.
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2. Will Roy Hibbert repeat his dominant performance?
Hibbert started out the game as dominant as he was in Game 4. He made four of his five field goal attempts in the first quarter, using his size in the low post and hitting a mid-range jumper. His presence on defense under the rim also altered the Heat’s offense. Hibbert scored 14 points in the first half, going 6-for-9, while also pulling down three rebounds.
3. Can both teams tune out the officials?
Neither team seemed to have any lingering issues with the officiating. Only 10 fouls were called in the first half overall.
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