Miami, May 31 (EFE).- LeBron James reaffirmed his status as the NBA's best player in the Miami Heat's 90-79 home victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, scoring 30 points to lead his team to a 3-2 series lead. The Pacers imposed their will in the first half of Thursday night's game at American Airlines Arena in Miami, dominating the paint with their size and holding the Heat's offense in check to take a 44-40 lead at the intermission.

James' monster third quarter gives Heat 3-2 edge MIAMI -- There is a reason LeBron James is the league's MVP, and he showed it again in the third quarter Thursday -- with his play and his leadership. The Heat superstar scored 16 of his 30 points in the period to lead Miami to a 90-79 win over the Indiana Pacers at AmericanAirlines Arena, pushing the underdog Pacers to the brink of elimination.

Centre Roy Hibbert scored 23 points as the Indiana Pacers went on a 13-3 run to close the game and beat the Miami Heat 99-92 in game four of their NBA semi-final round series on Tuesday. The Pacers were blown out of game three by the Heat, but rebounded mightily at home on Tuesday against the defending NBA champion Heat to level the series at 2-2.

Defending NBA champion Miami, unbeaten away from home in five playoff games this year, approaches Tuesday's critical contest at Indiana looking forward to a hostile atmosphere. "We've been able to come out and bring that championship pedigree with us and give ourselves a chance on the road," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "All you can do on the road is give yourselves a chance. And we've played pretty well."