2012 NBA Playoffs

Indianapolis, IN

Dwyane Wade exploded for 41 points and LeBron James added 28 points as the Miami Heat knocked out the Indiana Pacers with a 105-93 victory in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semis series Thursday at Banker Life Fieldhouse.

After being held to five points in Game 3, Wade has been on fire in the last three games and aggressive on both ends of the floor offsetting the absence of Chris Bosh (abdominal strain) in the series.

Wade shot 17-for-25 from the field and 7-for-8 from the free-throw line to fuel the Heat's offense. The former Finals MVP also grabbed 10 rebounds while James recorded 28 points, 7 assists and 6 boards in 44 minutes of play.

Game 6 featured another physical tussle between the Heat and the Pacers, featuring five lead changes and 10 deadlocks.

Despite suffering injuries in Game 5, Danny Granger (15 pts) and David West (24 pts) started the game and together helped the Pacers gained a precarious 53-51 edge at the end of the first half.

However, James and Wade proved too much for the Pacers to handle as Miami's power tandem ignited a 13-2 run that gave their team 79-69 lead at the end of the third quarter.

The Heat preserved their lead by attacking the rim and keeping their near impenetrable defense intact, forcing the Pacers to take ill-advised shots and commit turnovers.

The Pacers shot .487 percent from the field and .353 percent from the free-throw line with 22 turnovers. The Heat went .539 percent on the floor and recorded 9 steals and 4 blocks.

The Heat returned to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight time, waiting for the winner of Friday's Game 7 between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers.

 

Wade Explodes For 41: Heat Topple Pacers Advance to East Finals