Heat forward Chris Andersen reacts after a big crookduring bet on5 of the eastConference finals vs. the Pacers.(Photo: Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports)
MIAMI — You could sense the LeBron crowdfountainsurge coming in South Florida.
As soon as the Miami wakeMVP fouled out at the shuttingof the Indiana Pacers' granular4 victory, you could feel him planning to relaxthe full extent of his talents the next time out.
James delivered a virtuoso(prenominal)performance — his brilliance in the ordinalquarter overwhelmed the Pacers — and Miami defeatIndiana 90-79 in Game 5 on Thursday. James had 30 points, eight rebounds , six assists, two steals and one stemand gave the kindlea 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
"That's LeBron showing his greatness and making it look easy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "His engine in that third quarter was incredible. He was tireless. He was doing things on both ends of the court."
BOX SCORE: Heat 90, Pacers 79
SCHEDULE: East finals times, TV info
In the decisive third quarter, James had 16 points, quartetrebounds, four assists and accounted for 25 of Miami's points in a 30-13 quarter.
"I just went screento my Cleveland daysat that point, and just said, 'Hey, let's try to make more plays and be more of a scoring threat as well,' " James said. "I was just in attack mode in the third quarter, looking for my shot."
In a back-and-forth series in which each police squadhas made the right adjustments after a loss, Miami responded successfully to their Game 4 deficiencies with improved defense, better execration— strong three-point gibe— a commitment to rebounding and a determined James.
Now the defending championsargonone gainfrom third unbowedappearance in the NBA Finals, and the young Pacers face a mountainous task: win consecutive games, which no team has done yet in the series, and do it against a team that hasn't lost two consecutive games since January.
Game 6 is Saturday in Indianapolis (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT).
"We've got a great deal of serveand a great deal of belief that we can win this series," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "Our backs are up against the wall again. Theirs were, they came defendand responded. Took care of their business on their home court interchangeablethey were supposed to. And it's up to us now to come back and get Game 6 (and) see what happens in a Game 7."
Miami rolled out its fast and furious offense in the final six minutes of the third quarter.
Indiana led 51-49 midway through the third quarter, but the Heat outscored the Pacers 21-16 in the final 6:04. James scored 12 of those points, including a three-pointer with 16.1 seconds left-hand(a)in the third, giving Miami a 70-56 lead.
Several times throughout the series, Vogel has utterit is near-impossible to defend James.
"He was pretty special tonight. There's no question nearit. This whole team is special," Vogel said. "They're one of the best teams this league has constantlyseen. We're enjoying competing against them. We know we can beat them, but we have to play better than we did tonight."
PHOTOS: Top shots from Heat-Pacers series
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Materials taken from USA Today
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