LeBron James will Seek Redemption in Game 3

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James had a minor setback yesterday, committing two turnovers in the last minute of the game – just after I declared him the Fourth Quarter King. Oops.

And of course all of the LeBron haters had something to say, including his #1 anti-fan, Skip Bayless.

I have to admit, the last play of regulation last night, reminded me of the 2012  All-Star game when he committed a late turnover with just 3.2 seconds left in the game with the Eastern Conference Team down 151-149. Similarly, James decided to pass the ball across the lane and the ball was intercepted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dhZwkwWDdk

We can’t hang the loss entirely on LeBron – he did have 36 points and 8 rebounds — but man, those two turnovers really destroyed  the Heat’s chances of beating the Pacers.

Dwyane Wade started great, hitting his first two shots — but finished the game only 6-of-14. Norris Cole went 1-of-6. Mario Chalmers struggled with a shoulder injury — going 2-of-6 with only six points.

Shane Battier seems to be off as well — shooting 25% this postseason and had zero points in Game 2.

There’s simply no other way to say it — it was a terrible shooting night for the Miami Heat. Consider this: LeBron was the only Heat player to shoot more than two times and make at least 50% of his shots.  Think about that — essentially every other Heat player missed more shots than they made. With that sort of offense, you can’t win playoff games.

I think we may need to give Mike Miller (only 3 min of playing time) and James Jones (DNP), and quite possibly Rashard Lewis more court time. Miller connected on the only basket he attempted — a clutch three pointer as the buzzer expired in the second half to get the Heat within seven points of the Pacers — but he injured himself on the shot.  And while Mike Miller and James Jones are fully capable of knocking down threes, they both are defensive liabilities.

Even though the Pacers managed to steal one in Miami it’s not time to push the panic button just yet — the Heat are fully capable of winning games in Indiana.

One final thought — this might the first of many Pacers-Heat Eastern Conference Finals to come. Indiana is a good, young solid team and Paul George may be the next emerging superstar.

The 4-time MVP, LBJ even gave Paul George some dap after they exchanged baskets at the end of the third quarter, however I expect James to destroy him next game.

Eric N. Ellington covers the Miami Heat for Fansided.com. You can follow him @EricNEllington