Last Updated on July 17, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake
Here’s a timeline of the best matchups and significant events between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers:
Eastern Conference Semifinals (2012):
- The Heat and Pacers met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2011-2012 NBA season. The best of 7 series went to 6 games with the Heat winning 4–2.
- Most expected the Lebron James led Heat team to make it to the Semifinals and the Pacers were good also, led by Paul George and Danny Granger
Eastern Conference Finals (2013):
- The Heat and Pacers met again in the playoffs the following season, this time both teams made it to the Conference Finals. This series went to 7 games and the Heat won 4–3. The Heat then went on to become NBA Champions for the second straight season during the Lebron James era.
Eastern Conference Finals (2014):
- The Heat and Pacers go up against each other again in the Eastern Conference Finals. It marks the second straight year of facing off in the Conference Finals and the third season in a row they met in the playoffs beyond the first round. The Heat won the series 4–2.
First Round (2018):
- The Heat and Pacers met in the first round of the playoffs in the 2017-2018 NBA season. The series went to 7 games and the Heat won 4–3.
In conclusion, the Heat and Pacers are rivals due to their positions in the Eastern Conference where they often play each other in the playoffs. Both Miami and Indiana are basketball towns that frequently have competitive basketball teams. We haven’t seen the end of this rivalry.