here will be blood: Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat Preview
血色将至：印第安那溜马 vs. 迈阿密热火 赛前观
原文网址：http://www.nbapremiumtv.com/news/heatpacerspreview
After blowing a 2-1 lead against the Miami Heat in last year’s playoffs,
David West, Roy Hibbert, Paul George, George Hill, and the rest of the
Indiana Pacers sat in their locker rooms at the Banker’s Life Fieldhouse
with their heads down, humbled in defeat.
“We’ll be ready for them next time,” said the leader West as he looked at
the long and disappointing faces of his teammates. But even after being
delivered a heavy blow in defeat, West said what we all knew - the Pacers
would be back for the Heat and when they did, they would be stronger than
ever. A year later and here we are again, as Indiana plans to unseat Miami
from the throne of the Eastern Conference.
去年季后赛溜马与热火在第二轮对战，溜马一度骄傲地以2-1领先热火。但在此之后，
溜马众将只能在自家主场休息室，沮丧地迎接战败的事实。溜马当家 West 面对他失望
的队友说著。“下次会对他们作好准备的！”经过战败的沈重打击，West 宣示：溜马
会卷土重来面对热火，而且变得比从前更强。一年后溜马出现了，并且准备好在东冠
争夺战中，将热火扫地出门！
For Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Udonis Haslem, this will mark the
fifth time in their ten-year careers that they will advance to the Eastern
Conference Finals. For the Miami Heat franchise, it’s their third visit
since the Big Three joined Pat Riley and company.
On the other hand, Indiana will be entering the last round of the Eastern
Conference playoffs for the first time in nine years – the last was when
Reggie Miller still was a part of the team. And although experience certainly
favors Miami in this affair, make no mistake that this young, rugged, and
hungry Pacers team will be the biggest obstacle to their championship
repeat bid.
对于Wade, LBJ, Haslem来说，已经是十年的职业生涯中第五次季后赛打入东冠了。
这同时也是热火三巨头与 Riley 的第三次。相对溜马则是九年来的第一次，上次
可以追溯 Reggie Miller 还在队上的时候了。虽然热火在经验上占了上风，但这只
年轻力壮又对胜利充满渴望的溜马队，可说是热火卫冕冠军路上最大的障碍。
How they got here:
The Miami Heat made their way to their third straight Conference Finals
appearance by dispatching a lowly and below .500 Milwaukee Bucks team in
four games and then winning four straight matchups against the tough,
defensive-minded Bulls after bowing down in Game 1 of that series.
On the other hand, Indiana won a closer than anticipated series against
Atlanta in six games before demolishing the Knicks impressively in the
same amount of time.
There’s absolutely no question as to how much disdain and hatred both
teams have for each other. Although both fronts have showed the respect
and political courtesies that the other deserves. All the members of both t
he Heat and Pacers franchise have been waiting for another playoff
meeting since the end of last year’s series – especially Indiana.
季后赛程：
热火在横扫公鹿后，被铁血防守的公牛扳倒一场，接着以四连胜的姿态第三度打入东
冠。溜马比预期困难地以 4-2 打败老鹰并且以 4-2 漂亮地击败尼克。在去年的季后
赛后，毋庸置疑地两队对彼此都怀抱极大的轻蔑与敌意，但同时又保持着对球队
应有的风度与尊敬。一年以来，两队都对这场激战盼望以久－尤其是溜马。
How they matchup and key personalities in the series:
In their intense and bloody six-game series last May, the Indiana Pacers
pushed Miami to their limits before their inexperience and the genius
of James and Wade torched them during Games 4-6. Thanks to the absence
of Chris Bosh because of an injury during the series, Indiana punked
Miami early as they won two of the first three games, which included
a horrible shooting night from Wade in Game 3 that also saw him get
into a heated argument with Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra. But before
Indiana could complete the upset over the would-be NBA champions, #6
and #3 for the Heat put on a show in the remainder of the series wherein
they absolutely dominated and toyed with the Pacers’ defense.
系列战关键人物：
回顾去年五月紧张热血的对战，起先少不更事的溜马队被 LBJ 和 Wade 的天才光芒
所掩盖。由于 Bosh 在系列赛中因伤而缺赛，而让溜马在前三场取得2-1的优势，其
中更包括了在 Game3 中 Wade 糟糕的命中率表现，让他与教练 Spo 落人口实。
（译注：该场溜马94-75，Wade投13中2，命中15.3%）然而系列赛之后几场，LBJ 和
Wade 双巨头大显神威，完全将溜马的防守玩弄于股掌之间。溜马队也只能望着可能
到手的冠军兴叹。
"There's four teams left playing basketball in the NBA and this is something
we've been looking forward to all year. We lost to this team in the second
round last year, so we've already gotten a step farther this season,”
stated West as he looks forward to their upcoming battle, which starts
tomorrow at 8:30AM on BTV and NBA Premium TV.
However, for Indiana to complete the upset and finish the mission this time
around, they will have to do it with two major factors in play - the absence
of Danny Granger from the line-up and the presence of Chris Bosh for the
Heat. Granger has missed nearly all of his team’s games this season due to
an injured knee. However, his absence has been a blessing in disguise as
former Lincoln High School Protégée Lance Stephenson has done a marvell-
ous job in his absence.
季后赛发展至今，“全联盟只剩下四个球队在季后赛球场上。这正是我们期盼一整年
的时刻。我们去年第二轮就输给了热火，今年我们已经迈进了一步。”West期待着即将
来的血战。现在对溜马队来说，已经不是回首过往的时刻。今年的对战有两大不同：
Danny Granger 的缺席与健康的Chris Bosh归队。 Granger 因为膝伤几乎错过了整季
的比赛，他的缺席却让来自林肯高中的 Lance Stephenson 代替他的位置大放异彩。
As a matter of fact, New York Knicks fans at home can thank Stephenson
for sending their squad earlier than expected after Lance burned them
for 25 points in the deciding Game 6 including a game-changing three-point
play in the final minute. Despite the fact that they will miss the ability
of Granger to score in this series, his replacement will do a fine job of
providing scoring, rebounding, hustle, and defense – especially on Wade.
Stephenson 在溜马与尼克的G6对战中大爆发，缴出25分10篮板的成绩，其中包括一个
关键倒数时刻逆转局面的三分球，在尼克主场球迷面前，提早将尼克扫地出门。溜马
失去了Granger的得分能力，取代他的却是 Stephenson 在得分、篮板、争球、防守上
的全面身手可以发挥：尤其是在与 Wade 的对位上。
Another main reason why Indiana dominated New York in their battle was
because of the presence of former Georgetown center Roy Hibbert. Hibbert
obliterated Tyson Chandler on the boards, on defense, and on offense as
the Knicks center was left helpless against his smothering play. But if
Hibbert wants to lead his Pacers to their first finals appearance since
2000, he will have to bring his game to a higher level as Chris Bosh has
the potential to make his life miserable.
Bosh’s ability to spread the floor and hit jumpers from mid-range will
draw the Pacers big man out of the paint, thus opening lanes for Wade
and James to attack. To stop this, Coach Frank Vogel will have to
develop different schemes and plays that will limit the efficiency of
Miami’s explosive offense.
"I think this will be about substance," Vogel insisted. He also said
that “this series has plenty to offer without hard fouls and
trash-talking.” That this is “going to be about basketball.”
另外一个击败尼克的关键人物是来自于乔治城大学的中锋 Roy Hibbert。他在进攻
防守与篮板等诸多方面限制了尼克的 Tyson Chandler，让 Tyson 在窒息式防守中
孤立无援。但若要带领溜马自2000年后首度闯进冠军赛，他就必须提升自己将比赛
带到更高的层级 － 因为 Chris Bosh 的存在，可能会让他表现相当惨澹。
Bosh 的分球以及中距离的投射能力可以吸引溜马的大个儿离开禁区，而为 Wade
和LBJ清出空间来进攻篮框。溜马教头 Frank Vogel 必须发展不同的战术来限制
热火爆发性的进攻效率。
“这个系列战不需要肮脏的犯规与垃圾话口水战。我想，让我们回到篮球原点吧！”
Vogel如是说。
The series between these two heated rivals will also be decided by the
duel between James and George. Outside the court, both men have been
revealed to be good friends, as James has helped George in his development
over the past three years. Nevertheless, both All-Stars know that once
Thursday morning arrives, it’s all about business.
"It's been go time," LeBron declared. "Since the playoffs started,
it's been go time. And I love the way we've been playing so far."
这场系列战除了是两个热血激昂的世仇球队争夺东冠以外，同时也是 James 和
George的决斗。球场外这两人是非常要好的朋友，James 在 George 这三年的
发展中帮助不少。然而这两个全明星球员心知肚明－ 一旦比赛开打，便正事归
正事。
Lebron说：“关键时刻已经来了，从季后赛开打时，就是关键时刻。我很满意
我们目前的表现！”
George added to James ‘sentiment by saying that Indiana is expecting
not only to challenge the Heat, but also get past their adversary en
route to an NBA Finals appearance. “Obviously, we remember what happened
last year and it will be on our mind when we face this team. We're not
just happy to get to this stage, we want to get past this one, too."
George 相对 James 的感性更期盼比赛发展，George 表示溜马绝不只是要挑战热火
，而是要击败对手进军总冠军赛。“我们当然还记得去年的教训，面对热火这样的
队伍我们会更加注意，但我们并不满足于东冠这个舞台，我们要的是总冠军！”
Despite all the key matchups of individuals between both teams, the Eastern
Conference Champion will be determined by two major factors - bench production
and Wade’s health. During the first season of the Big three era in 2011,
it was obvious that Miami’s main weakness was their lack of bench production.
As the years followed, Heat owner Micky Arison and executive Pat Riley did
a terrific job of assembling a supporting cast that has been nothing short
of spectacular for the defending champions in the playoffs so far.
Important players such as Ray Allen, Shane Battier, Norris Cole, and
Chris Andersen will have to provide their usual scoring and defensive
prowess that can dictate the pace of this series.
虽然在赛中的每一个对位都相当重要，但东区冠军还是决定于两个因素：板凳深度
与 Wade 的伤势。在三巨头时代的第一年，热火队最明显的弱点就是缺乏板凳的输出
。这些年来热火队的金主 Micky Arison 和总裁 Pat Riley 成功地寻求奥援，把
热火打造成一支强大而毫无弱点的劲旅。关键球员如 Ray Allen, Shane Battier,
Norris Cole 以及 Chris Andersen 都会以他们一直以来的得分能力与防守本领支
援球队，一切都为了热火卫冕总冠军而铺路。
For Indiana, they will need contributors such as DJ Augustin, Tyler
Hansbrough, and others to bring their A-game if they have any admirations
of making a trip to the NBA Finals. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra knows that
the talent and production of his bench is superior to that of Indiana’s
and he will surely exploit this advantage.
对于溜马来说，他们更加需要候补球员为球队做出贡献。譬如 DJ Augustin,
Tyler Hansbrough 等球员能有水准以上的表现，才能将他们变成一支前进总冠军
的一流队伍。热火教练 Spo 深知自己的队伍候补球员的能力胜过溜马，绝不会放
过利用这样的板凳优势。
The balance of this war will also be predicated on how healthy and
effective Wade will be. The former Marquette star had some horrible
performances against Chicago – except the closing game – and knows
that he has to do better against Indiana especially with the likes of
Stephenson and George manning him. If Wade plays up to his usual
standards and looks like the old Flash that won the hearts of Miami
fans before, then the Heat will definitely make their third straight
NBA Finals appearance. However, if Wade does not show up, Indiana
may shock the world.
这场战事的均衡与否将会取决于Wade因伤能否正常发挥而定，他在前一轮对战
公牛的时候有差劲的表现，但在最后一场状况回稳。Wade知道他必须在溜马队
Stephenson或是 George 的防守对位上表现得更出色才行。若Wade能够表现得
如同当初赢得迈阿密球迷的心的往常那个闪耀球星的话，热火将会势如破竹的
连三度闯进NBA总冠军赛。但若是 Wade 无法上场，就如同给了溜马一个机会：
击败热火，震惊全世界。
Prediction:
Despite the addition of a healthy Bosh this time around, Indiana is
a better team compared to last year and their roster is structurally
made to get past the Heat. The Pacers will also enter the Conference
finals with a world full of confidence considering that they trashed
Miami in two out of three games during the regular season.
However, the Heat’s ability to explode on offense and their championship
-level defense will force Indiana into a lot of turnovers that will play
to their advantage. The Heat also have a deeper bench, which is necessary
and important in a series that will be as physical and closely fought as
this one. And when all else fails, the reigning champions still have
LeBron to lead them like he did last postseason.
赛前预测：
虽然热火队与去年相比多了一个健康的Bosh，但溜马也非昔日的吴下阿蒙，
他们更为击败热火设计的专属的阵容。更由于他们在球季中对热火取得2-1的战绩
，他们将自信满满的迎接与热火这一战。
但热火爆发性的得分能力与冠军等级的顶尖防守，却可以造成溜马队更多的失误。
而在准冠军赛如此激烈的身体碰撞与比赛强度，热火队板凳深度的优势也能更为凸
显。就算这些都不奏效，热火这支卫冕冠军还有最终王牌Lebron来当救世主。
Heat in 6
预测：热火以4-2晋级。