2012 NBA Playoffs

Miami, FL

Is history repeating itself for the Miami Heat?

Last year, the Heat crumbled to extreme pressure due to high expectations surrounding the much-hyped Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh during the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.

Now, the Heat are starting to show signs of cracking up and they are just in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

After posting out an easy first-round win over the New York Knicks, the Heat are minus the services of an injured Bosh and down, 2-1, in their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.

Bosh was indefinitely sidelined with an abdominal strain he suffered during Game 1 of the Heat-Pacers series.

Without a reliable frontliner to go up against a gritty Pacers' side, James and Wade are expected to deliver the offensive firepower for the Heat to fill up for Bosh's absence.

While James has done his share, Wade has been absent in the series, making just 18 of 58 shots in the series, or barely 30 percent. In Game 2, Wade shot just 2-of-13 and was limited to five points.

And his on-court frustrations boiled over into a heated argument with coach Erik Spoelstra during a huddle.

Spoelstra approached Wade during a timeout to comfort his superstar by placing his hand on the player's shoulder. Instead of returning the friendly gesture, Wade retaliated with "get out of my [expletive] face!".

Many were taken by surprise by Wade's action, since he has been known for as the stabilizer of the team during pressure-packed situations.

"That happens," Spoelstra said, trying to downplay the incident. "That really is nothing. That's the least of our concerns."

The Heat cancelled Friday's scheduled practice and media sessions, staying in their hotel rooms to regroup for Sunday's Game 4 in Indiana.

The Pacers also rewarded themselves with a two-day break after playing hard in Games 2 and 3.

 

Erik Spoelstra addresses Dwyane Wade's Outburst

 

 

Wade, Spoelstra Clash as Heat Wilt Under Pressure