NBA: Indiana Pacers Looking To Bounce Back After Gut-Punch Game 1 Lose To The Miami Heat

Despite a heartbreaking Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals loss to the defending National Basketball Association (NBA) champions, the Indiana Pacers are upbeat going into tonight's game against the Miami Heat.

"Our belief has strengthened," said Indian Pacers head coach Frank Vogel. "Our belief in our ability to beat this team has strengthened after Game 1. Our familiarity in the playoffs, in the playoff series grows with each day, grows with each game, and there's a lot of things we can definitely do better."

Game 1, which featured 35 ties or lead changes over a 53 minute stretch, came down to a buzzer-beater layup by Miami's LeBron James, who finished up the game with a triple-double: 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Many questioned Vogel's decision to bench Indiana center Roy Hibbert, which left the paint open for James to attack the rim for the win, rather then settle for a jumper.

"All I'd say is it was a sound plan," said Vogel. "When you have five 3-point shooters on the court to have a switching lineup out there with five guys that are great ball containers and ask your team to try to force a jump shot."

Hibbert was critical of the Heat's physical play, taking a shot at Miami forward Shane Battier, via Twitter, who kneed the Pacer center in the midsection driving to the basket.

"I've never seen him do that before. I didn't think that was cool of him," said Hibbert about the play. "I personally thought it wasn't a regular shooting motion for a layup, his knee was out to begin with."

Both coaches downplayed the physicality of Game 1, which included several borderline plays - including Norris Cole being called for a foul after hitting David West below the belt, between the legs. Hibbert realizes the importance of the team keeping its cool despite the hard fouls being thrown on the court.

"We need everybody on our team to compete. We can't have anybody thrown out of the game or suspended for a game," said Hibbert. "To be honest, I thought about [retaliating], but I need to be in the game to make an impact. In my younger days I probably would've [retaliated]."

Dwyane Wade warns that the Pacers that they should expect more of the same, as the series wears on.

"It's the playoffs, guys are out there and it's a physical game," said Wade. "It's not going to be a preseason game, it's not going to be a regular-season game, it's going to be the Eastern Conference finals. You're going to leave the game feeling like you got hit by a Mack truck."