Are the Heat Vs. Pacers Games Getting Too Physical?

Maybe LeBron James took his "The Hunger Games" reading to heart before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals -- because it looks like both the Indiana Pacers and his Miami Heat are fighting to the NBA death. There's been bad blood in this series ever since Pacers All-Star Danny Granger decided to get in the face of virtually every Heat player that got in his way.

Now it's understandable the Pacers have a chip on their shoulder. After all, no one expected them to go this far in the playoffs and they're a small market team. They also wouldn't even be in the second round had their first round opponent, the Orlando Magic, had a healthy and dominant Dwight Howard to suit up. LeBron and the Heat did respect the Pacers' heart, but that respect seems to have turned to hate.

Both LeBron and Dwyane Wade publicly dissed the Pacers for making choking gestures after one of their losses -- and both called out Granger's so-called toughness. Needless to say, the Heat have bullied the Pacers as far as basketball goes, winning Games 4 and 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. Game 5 saw the teams pick up a combined three flagrant fouls, which depending on the severity, could lead to players being thrown out of a game and/or suspended. One more win and the Heat can punch their ticket to a second straight Eastern Conference Finals appearance. The problem? They may have to get punched in the mouth one more time to do so. But one thing's for sure: the Miami Heat isn't afraid to punch back.