Indianapolis, IN

LeBron James scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half to help the Miami Heat break away early en route to a 114-96 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

The Heat shot an astounding 27-for-43 (62.8 percent) from the field to take a 70-56 lead at the break and never looked back for a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Heat drew double-digit scoring from all of their starters, with Dwyane Wade backing up James with 18 points. Udonis Haslem added 17 points, Chris Bosh had 15 while Mario Chalmers scored 14 for the Heat.

Chris Andersen provided the spark off the bench for the Heat, scoring nine points and grabbing nine boards with two blocks in 22 minutes of play.

Overall, the Heat made 42 of 77 attempts from the floor for 54.5 percent and 24 for 28 from the foul line.

David West tallied 21 points and 10 boards while Roy Hibbert had 20 points and 17 caroms for the Pacers, who shot just 29-for-72 overall for 39.7 percent.

George Hill added19 points while Paul George had 13 on 3-for-10 shooting but the Pacers lacked support from their bench players, who contributed just 16 points compared to the Heat's 28.

The Pacers outrebounded the Heat, 45-36, but were plagued by 10 turnovers and poor shooting from the charity stripe, where they shot just 30-for-44 for 68.2 percent compared to the Heat's 24-for-28 stint.

The Pacers kept the game close, trailing by just 34-30, after the first period but back-to-back baskets by James put the Heat ahead by 59-47 with three minutes remaining in the first half.

The Pacers trimmed the gap to 10 points thrice but Ray Allen buried a triple and James added a 13-foot jumper for a 70-56 lead at the break.

 

Miami Heat Pull Away Early, Take Game 3

 

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