Miami Heat

Here's something to keep an eye on tonight. Roy Hibbert posted this on his Twitter account on Thursday, basically calling Shane Battier a dirty player. - Shane Battier's Flying (Knee) Circus put Hibbert on the ground during the first half. There were other instances of Battier's questionable play. He elbowed Tyler Hansbrough in the second half while going for a rebound. Hansbrough was called for the foul. - In the first half, Battier grabbed Hansbrough's arm under the basket and the two had to be separated. Chris Andersen received a technical foul for defending Battier. - Is Battier a dirty player or just a savvy veteran?

James y Wade Escogidos Para el Primer Equipo de la NBA

LeBron James led the Miami Heat to victory in Game 1 and on Friday, the defending champions will try for a 2-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.

LeBron James Donates $1M to Renovate Court at Alma Matter

White Hot HEAT Basketball Hoop Countdown Presented by American Airlines

Veteran players of the Miami HEAT are well-acquainted with the joys and hardships of the NBA Playoffs. Emotions run high and pressure to win games makes the playoffs intense for players and fans alike.

Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports As I mentioned in an earlier article – Frank Vogel’s early trash talk would get him and his Indiana Pacers into some trouble. And like the old saying goes: “If you talk the talk, you must walk the walk.” — and clearly Vogel and co. couldn’t close the deal. Vogel elected to leave 7 -foot- 2 Roy Hibbert on the bench in the closing minutes in overtime. LeBron James took full advantage of the empty Hibbert-less lane and drove all the way to the hoop to score with 11 seconds left in overtime, to put the Miami Heat up by two. During Indiana’s final possession, Dwyane Wade made a critical defensive mistake — he fouled a jump-shooter, and to make matters worse, he fouled a jump-shooter who happened to be shooting a three. Paul George ended up making all three of his free-throws to send the Pacers up 102-101. However, there was 2.2 seconds left in the game. Just enough time to drive through the lane and score a basket. Vogel thought otherwise. In the post game press conference, Vogel thought Miami would only have enough time to shoot a perimeter jump-shot, thus leaving Hibbert on the bench, in favor of a more quicker, athletic player capable of guarding the perimeter. Clearly a costly mistake… With only 2.2 seconds left on the clock, Battier inbounded the ball to LeBron James, who quickly darted down the lane and scored on a left-handed layup to win the game 103-102. Vogel has faced scrutiny all day from this obvious coaching mistake — take a look at the shrapnel of criticism on Twitter: Why take Hibbert out? Why take Hibbert out? Why take Hibbert out? Why take Hibbert out? Why take Hibbert out? Why take Hibbert out? — Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 23, 2013 Especially with 2.2 left, Hibbert HAS TO BE in the game, camped in the lane, so LeBron is forced to shoot a jumper or at least the FTs. — Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 23, 2013 Every1 is talking about Hibbert not being in game. The problem is giving up a str8 line drive. It’s impossible 2 help on Blow Byes — Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) May 23, 2013 LeBron scored two late baskets at the rim without Roy Hibbert in the game. cbsprt.co/INDMIAGM1 — CBSSports.com (@CBSSports) May 23, 2013 And by the way, I’m sticking to my prediction — Miami Heat in five. Eric N. Ellington covers the Miami Heat for Fansided.com. You can follow him @EricNEllington

Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports MIAMI– I think it’s all safe to say that LeBron James owns the fourth quarter. After Lance Stevenson’s public choke display last year, the King responded to all his critics by playing magnificently in the final minutes (and 2.2 seconds) of overtime. The only choking going on in this series is when Frank Vogel decided, not once, but twice, to sit shot-blocker Roy Hibbert at the end of the game. Remember all those jokes about James about him disappearing in the fourth quarter? I pulled a few from this website to refresh your memory: “If you let Lebron borrow a dollar, who pay you back the fourth quarter.” “LeBron James was just traded to the Florida Panthers. He should be wildly successful, since in the NHL, there are only 3 periods.” “Why didn’t LeBron James go to college? Because he can’t pass the finals.” “Tomorrow is Lebron James day, everyone gets to leave work 12 minutes early.” To all the LeBron haters — These jokes don’t apply anymore. King James has battled his fourth quarter demons and we will all be witnesses when LeBron James goes down as the greatest player of all time. Eric N. Ellington covers the Miami Heat for Fansided.com. You can follow him @EricNEllington

All it took was a couple of minutes, and the Milwaukee Bucks' hard work through three quarters came undone.

In the days leading up to the Eastern Conference finals, Heat big man Chris Andersen worked constantly on spacing the floor inside the paint to provide an extra option for driving teammates.