Monday 19 May 2014 07:39, UK
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Miami Heat 107-96 in game one of the Eastern Conference final on Sunday.
Paul George poured in 24 points, while Roy Hibbert and David West each scored 19 as the Pacers drew first blood in the series.
"We have been struggling in the opening games of play-off series at home," George said. "If we were to lose the first game against a great club like the Miami Heat it would have made this a very long series.
"We came out with a great urgency to get this one.
"We moved the ball. We shared it and we played with energy. We didn't let the ball stay stagnant.
"A great defence like Miami's thrives on loading up on the strong side and we did a great job of moving the ball to the weak side."
Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 27 points for Miami and LeBron James had 25, but they left themselves too much to do in the final quarter.
"They have a very physical front line. It's going to have to be a collective effort," James said. "We'll figure it out in Game Two."
