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THIS AND THAT

Pacers coach Frank Vogel said when the Heat plays a small lineup – with only one natural power rotation player and James at power forward – “you’ve got to pound it inside. But even when they’re small, they defend the same way. They have different lineups that are sometimes more effective than the lineup with Bosh in it.”

Spoelstra went with that smaller lineup – with one natural power rotation player (usually Joel Anthony) – for all of the fourth quarter Sunday.

• A day after shooting 1 for 10, Danny Granger said he expects coaches to find creative ways to get him the ball in better places. “It’s not brain surgery,” Granger said. Vogel said, “The plan was not for him to get 10 shots. Miami is probably the best in the business at taking away your first option. He’s got to probably be a little more assertive.”

• Pacers president Larry Bird told reporters that James “is just spectacular. He’s our best player in the league. With his body, his skill, his ability to get out and run and jump, I don’t think we’ve quite seen anybody play his position who can do what he does. … He took Granger completely out of everything he wanted to do.”

• Granger reiterated the Pacers “have to make [James and Wade] play defense.” Vogel didn’t dispute that, but added, “It’s impossible to wear those two guys down. They could play 48 straight minutes two games in a row and not be worn down.”

• Vogel called Haslem, Anthony and Ronny Turiaf “three of the best dirty work guys in the business.”

• The Pacers committed 31 fouls in Game 1, compared to Miami’s 22. But Vogel said, “The officiating didn’t beat us in Game 1. The Miami Heat beat us.”

The Miami Herald

BY BARRY JACKSON
BJACKSON@MIAMIHERALD.COM

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