Pacers vs. Heat Game 4: LiveBlog

Few pastimes are as American as enjoying sports with friends.  For this generation, that experience is often expanded to include the internet and social networks.  For some, including Bill Simmons, my absolute favorite person in sports journalism (check out his work at Grantland) the experience has taken the form of a LiveBlog.  With good friend and fellow NBA enthusiast Rivers Upchurch, I thought I would give it a try.  Perhaps the results are entertaining or funny; perhaps we failed to adequately recreate the experience of watching a game in the company of good people, eyes affixed to a basement flat-screen.  In any event, we had fun writing it.  Feedback appreciated, as always.

3:31 All is right in the world.  Few pleasures surpass watching a great basketball game with great people. I have the Heat by eight:  I'm expecting a better game from LBJ and a bounceback performance from Wade.  No player as good as either of those two plays two games in a row as uninspired as the one both turned in on Thursday night.  I have the Heat evening the series tonight, and taking the series in seven.
3:32 Rivers:  Pacers by six.  They've been the better team.
3:33 I like the addition of Shane Battier to the starting lineup.  He brings veteran presence, as well as a significantly crispier hairline than Joel Anthony.
3:34 We tipped approximately two minutes ago and already Indiana has another quick lead.  Chris Bosh has to be subtly concealing a smile as he watches from the bench in street clothes:  where are those that would diminish his importance to the team now?
3:37 Rivers:  My comprehensive list of NBA players who are worse than Joel Anthony:  Ronny Turiaf.  The list, unfortunately for the Miami Heat, ends there.  You could maybe, MAYBE, make a case for Josh McRoberts.  (left)
3:39 The Pacers are hacking plenty and the officials seem to be 100% on board with that.  Of all people, LeBron James has failed to get a call twice on his way to the basket, and Wade was just pushed blatantly on the baseline.  The Heat are still yet to score; my prediction is looking more and more like the work of a delusional fanboy by the minute.
3:44 Of all people, Joel Anthony finally breathes life into the Miami Heat.  Sorry, my friend, for talking shit.
3:45 And that block is followed by a classic LeBron James slam.  (The exchange, as can be seen in this video, is a thing of beauty.)
3:47 My friend over here has love for Psycho T that is only slightly less passionate than Dick Vitale's.  Apparently I am going to hear a running stat line on Indiana's seventh man all game long.
3:48 Rivers:  SIXTH MAN.  Darren Collison doesn't get tick like that, fool.
3:50 Hibbert, in game three and thus far in game four, is the most important player on the floor, despite the presence of more prestigious names.  The count on shots quickly and awkwardly flung up onto high glass to avoid his massive, shot-blocking hands is at four even at this early stage.
3:54 Rivers:  I am nearly 100% certain that this isn't appropriate for this blog, but Larry Bird's daughter could absolutely get it.  Apologies to the great Larry Bird.
3:55 Rivers:  Tyler!  My dude has three buckets already.  Tar Heels, represent.
3:57 LeBron is definitely in his aggressive mode, which is nice to see this early in the game for a change.  The Chosen One is perhaps out to silence critics.
4:00 A huge shoutout to Joel Anthony for temporarily appearing as if he belongs in the game, much less the league.
4:03 A quick note on those DirecTV ads that use a sequence of events to describe calamity that could possibly arise from being a cable subscriber:  funny at first, but the series is now certainly in steady decline.  After watching this curly-headed guy lose all of his money and sell his hair for sustenance for perhaps the third time today, I would say that the concept grows old.
4:04 And, wow-- am I the only one that thinks that the NBA's BIG advertisement on the Heat is a shot at LBJ and Wade?  As for whether the trio qualify as big:  Bosh is a definite no, Wade is probably no longer, and the jury is out on James.
4:08 Is it odd that I root for Wade to miss every shot he takes?  I guess I can't stand the perception that Wade is in some way James' superior or that he is a more clutch player.  I had fun watching him struggle to a five point outing the last time out, and I can't say it rankles me to see him continue his poor play today.
4:09 The dunk from Haslem provides a spark, and Dwyane Wade roars to life with a steal and beautiful pass to Wade.  Certainly, this is Sportscenter Top 10 material.
4:10 LeBron James is on one tonight.

4:13 Is there anything better on television than Blake Griffin's Kia ads?  His awkwardness makes for a hilarious commercial.  He approaches Peyton Manning status in terms of being an ideal spokesperson.
4:14 Rivers:  The eTrade baby ads are the only ones that come close.  Quality.
4:14 Rivers:  I was really excited for that Duets show that premiers on Thursday but the more ads ABC force-feeds me the more it is looking like a low-budget version of The Voice.
4:15 I promised I was done with the Joel Anthony jokes, but I can't resist.  This guy is not an NBA-level player in any aspect of his game.  He plays basketball like a highly intoxicated version of an aging Dale Davis.
4:19 Regardless of the outcome of this game and the series, Indiana has earned all of my respect.  They are scrappy, unselfish, and well-coached; the San Antonio Spurs of the north.
4:20 Rivers:  As I watch Collison pour in yet another one, it pains me to have to admit that T-Hans is indeed a seventh man.

4:22 Roy Hibbert seems like such a kind, softspoken man.  If he wanted to my best friend, I would not object.  Hit me up, Roy Hibbert.
4:33 Another run for the Pacers.  In this first half, at least, its LeBron James versus a well-oiled machine engineered by NBA executive of the year Larry Bird.
4:34 Wade for three.  The word you are looking for, Mike Tirico, is 'finally'.
4:35 Hubie Brown is a-- I am having a hard time tailoring my description of him to a level appropriate for a blog read primarily by my teacher-- less than intelligent man.  I cannot believe that he just criticized Hibbert, of all poeple, for not challenging a shut.  Cue the Colin Cowherd guffaw.
4:37 I can't believe they are actually calling Conseco fieldhouse "Banker's Life Fieldhouse".  Both Rivers and I wondered aloud at the possibility of it being a different facility.  The name change seems almost blasphemous.
4:39 Danny Granger plays NO games.  He has been ready to pick a fight in every game in this series:  LeBron James on Thursday, Dwyane Wade today.  He really sets the tone for this Indiana team.
4:40 Halftime.  Leandro Barbosa is a smooth criminal.
4:50 I need me a Ticket Oak.
5:01 This game is, at this point, in the hands of LBJ completely.  I have loved his aggression today, and he has started the second half in the same manner.  The baseline move around Hibbert showed adaptability (he had gotten trapped down there previously), not to mention incredible athleticism.

***For a period of nearly a quarter, I had to run an errand for my mother.  Such is life for a seventeen-year-old dependent; I could not refuse.  In my stead, Rivers took over, and did only a slightly less awesome job.***

5:11 Rivers:  In Evan's absence, ya boy has taken over the LiveBlog.  Similarly, LeBron James appears to be taking over this game, as he ties the contest by leading a 10-0 run.
5:13 Rivers:  Joel Anthony and Ronny Turiaf are both horrible players.  They also both have four fouls.  If this results in a playoff appearance by the great, ancient Juwan Howard, I will be overjoyed.
5:14 Rivers:  D-Wade hits a three in rhythm to give the Heat a lead at last.  The Pacers should bring in Psycho T to bring some energy.  Woo Tar Heels.
5:16 Rivers:  LeBron with a dime to Wade.  My prediction of Pacers by seven is looking highly unlikely at this stage.
5:19 Rivers:  Every point in the third quarter thus far has been scored by either James or Wade.  They are dominating this game completely on both ends of the floor.  Heat by four.
5:23 Rivers:  A commercial appearance by the fat guy from Modern Family.  He is that dude; very, very funny.
5:24 Rivers:  Enter the great Tyler Hansbrough.  LeBron immediately bricks two free throws.  Coincidence?  I think not.  (Edit:  very likely a coincidence.)
5:26 Rivers:  LeBron James and Dwyane Wade now have Miami's last 35 points.
5:26 Rivers:  In other news, the referee just tripped over a player and appears to have rolled an ankle.  I ROFL'd, for sure.
5:27 Rivers:  And one for James.  Cue the M-V-P chants and the proclamations of "chosen one".  The Heat now appear to be running away with this one.
5:29 Rivers:  A Haslem free throw ends Wade and James' streak at 38 points consecutively.
5:31 Rivers:  Tyler for two.  He would work James Jones in the post if Darren Collison would just give him a damn look.  The Pacers have now cut it to six on the strength of Tyler's hustle-- and also a speedy drive to the rim by Collison.
5:33 Rivers:  Hansbrough ends the quarter with two turnovers.  It was fun while it lasted.  The Pacers had better pick it up; they were truly horrible both offensively and defensively in this quarter.
5:36 Rivers:  This Ferris Bueller commercial with an aging Matthew Broderick is a cold piece.
5:39 Rivers:  Brent Barry has to be at least a little salty that despite having a much better career as a player than his brother Jon, he's stuck at NBAtv while little brother has the hookup at ESPN.  It really doesn't make a lot of sense.
5:42 Rivers:  Lou Amundson just dunked, confirming that he can indeed dunk a basketball.
5:44 Rivers:  The Pacers are going mad small, and it actually appears to be working.  There are four ball-handlers in the game, and my man Mike Miller is getting exposed.
5:46 Rivers:  We are trading buckets at this point.  This really is a great basketball game.
5:47 Rivers:  Amundson just elbowed the poop out of Udonis Haslem.  They've stopped the game to stop the blod flowing down his face.  Lou Amundson is adequately filling his role as "exceedingly clumsy white guy".  (right)

***Evan hurriedly returns to the basement, highly irritated that he ever had to leave.***

5:47 I'm back for the fourth quarter.  Stay classy, y'all.
5:49 LeBron clearly commits offensive goaltending in throwing down a ferocious tip-slam.  The zebras know better than to blow a late whistle on Daddy.
5:50 If LBJ is letting you by him into the lane, just... don't... do it.
5:51 Mike Miller is down for the count, I think.  White people and their back problems.  Remember the reference to the fact that he was being exposed by quickness?  I think that quickness put his back out.
5:51 It goes unnoticed just how good Danny Granger is, as he throws in a tough leaner.  He was a top three or four scorer in the league back when the Pacers sucked.  (Fact Check:  In the 2008-09 season, Granger was fifth in the NBA in scoring at 25.9 points per contest.)
5:55 Another difference between LBJ and the other greats of the game:  Kobe Bryant would never, ever, ever, settle for a fadeaway jumper in an isolation situation against David West.  This isn't really a criticism; it's more of an observation of his personality.
5:59 Rivers:  Is that an NBA championship ring I spy on Hubie Brown's finger?  Who in the hell did he win a title with?  (Turns out, it's an ABA championship ring.  I have mad love for the ABA, but that ring from a defunct league still probably wouldn't make the daily rotation.)

6:01 Danny Granger is a dawg.  He bangs home a three as Chalmers crashes into him.  That one should have come with the additional free throw.
6:03 Tonight, LeBron wants the free throws!  Twice he grabbed a rebound and twice he waited to be fouled rather than passing the ball off.  He'll get one of two.
6:03 Rivers:  Two of two.
6:04 And the result, of course, is one of two.  I'm glad that at least one went down so we don't have to hear that broken record anymore.
6:06 And the King drains two more to ice it.  40-17-9 for this monster.  Whassup, Skip Bayless.
6:08 One last rebound, and the final line is 40-18-9.  Wade also scored thirty points.  Only the hand-eye coordination of Joel Anthony could have stood between LeBron and a triple-double this afternoon.
6:11 That about wraps it up, y'all.  The series is evened at 2-2 and headed back to Miami for Tuesday night; best believe we'll LiveBlog that also.  It's games like the one today that have me completely infatuated with LeBron James, the world's greatest.  Thank you for hanging with us.