http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/108374956299090.xml No rest for the weary Heat Wednesday, May 05, 2004 By Jeremy Fowler Correspondent MIAMI -- After Miami's 85-77 victory Tuesday against the Hornets, everyone in the Heat's locker room knew playing the Indiana Pacers on Thursday would be exhaustive. Not for the Pacers, who last played April 25 in a 90-75 win against the Boston Celtics. That gives Indiana 11 days of rest entering Thursday's second-round playoff series against the Heat. Tuesday's Game 7 ended a 17-day series for the Heat against the Hornets. "The Pacers have had so long, they've been able to prepare for both teams," Heat guard Rafer Alston said. "They've had forever waiting for one of us to win." Though immersed in the Hornets series, Alston still could assess the Pacers. "(Jermaine) O'Neal will have to be double-teamed, that's for sure," Alston said. "Their X-factor is Jonathan Bender (of Picayune, Miss.), who has been playing well of late. And Al Harrington, you know he's coming to play. Their biggest weakness is their point guard position, but those guys are good, too." HOME COOKING: The home team has won 70 of the past 85 Game 7s in the playoffs, and rookie Heat guard Dwyane Wade now understands why. The All-Rookie first-teamer said he thrives off the home crowd at AmericanAirlines Arena. "It was just crazy, incredible when we walked out there," Wade said of the 20,286 fans in attendance. "It was undeniably the best atmosphere I've been around." Wade finished with 12 points. The Heat's popularity of late has confused reserve guard Bimbo Coles, who returned to the team this season after playing in Miami from 1990 to 1995 and for several teams around the NBA since. On the way to the arena Tuesday, Coles asked Alston why there was so much traffic in Miami. Seems the Heat didn't have as much congestion in Miami when it held a 24-58 record. TOUGHNESS: Entering Game 5, Heat guard Eddie Jones said the first-round series against the Hornets was not as physical as people thought because Hornets players were "flopping" more than usual. Game 6 probably changed his opinion, as both teams put an extra push in their bullying antics. Five technical fouls were called in that game. "I've had to ice my ankles a little more than usual these last couple of games," Jones said. HISTORY LESSON: Heat center Brian Grant, a 10-year NBA veteran, vividly remembers when his Portland Trail Blazers lost a Game 7 against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2000 playoffs. Grant said the Blazers could barely make a basket in the fourth quarter. Although the Heat shot 41 percent Tuesday, Grant said he would have made sure Miami won at any cost. "You have to let your opponent know that 'Hey, I'm going to fight you for this game. I'm not giving this up,' " Grant said. INJURY REPORT: Grant went to the locker room at the end of the first quarter with a strained lower back. He returned early in the second quarter and finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. --

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