Game #30: Miami Heat (22-7) vs. Indiana Pacers (17-10)

The finish line is finally in sight for the Miami Heat, as they embark on the most challenging part of their road schedule this season. Tonight its game 5 of this 6 game road trip, but its also the third game in as many nights for Miami. So far they have done well, with blowout wins against the Hawks and Bucks in the last two nights, and then another easy win over the Wizards a couple nights before that.

The Heat are fortunate that in their last two wins they have been able to rest their starters for the majority of each second half. However, they still come into this game having played a game on each of the past two nights, where as the Pacers come into this game having had the last two nights off.

This is the second of four meetings between the Heat and Pacers this season. In their previous matchup, the Heat obliterated Indiana, winning by 35 points. It was the single largest margin of victory for any Miami Heat team against the Pacers in franchise history. LeBron James led the way in that game with 33 points and Chris Bosh chipped in with 22 points of his own.

Since the Heat started their current 6-game road trip with a loss in Orlando, they have ran off three consecutive wins by an average of 18.3 points per game. Now they face a Pacers team who has lost three straight, but still holds a solid 17-10 record. Miami holds a nicer record, 22-7, and is closing in on the Easter Conference's top record, held by the Chicago Bulls (23-7).

GAME NOTES

• The Heat are 10-5 on the road. Indiana is 7-3 at home.
• Miami has won 7 of their last 8 meetings with the Pacers.
• The Heat have also won three straight games at Indiana.
• This game is the first of three games in three nights for the Pacers.
• Indiana forward David West has scored a season-high 22 points in each of his last two games.
• For the Heat, center Dexter Pittman (shoulder) is questionable.
• As for Indiana, guard George Hill (ankle) is out and forward Jeff Foster (back) is questionable.

Tipoff from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse is set for 7pm. The game will be broadcast locally on Sun Sports and nationally on NBA TV.