Heating Up: Indiana, Miami eager to start another round in continuing playoff saga

Miami Heat forward LeBron James looks to shoot during NBA basketball practice at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Friday, May 16, 2014. The Heat face the the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday in Indiana. (AP Photo/El Nuevo Herald, David Santiago) MAGS OUT (The Associated Press)

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) drives past Washington Wizards forward Drew Gooden (90) during the second half in Game 6 of an Eastern Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series in Washington, Thursday, May 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

INDIANAPOLIS – It's time for the NBA's fight of the year.

After spending a whole season talking about Indiana and Miami squaring off in the Eastern Conference finals, the long-anticipated rematch begins Sunday when the top-seeded Pacers face the two-time defending NBA champion Heat in Game 1 of this best-of-seven series.

Miami has won the last two playoff bouts — winning three straight to oust the Pacers 4-2 in the second round in 2012 before blowing out the Pacers in Game 7 last year in the conference finals.

This year, the Pacers made it clear from the start they wanted the No. 1 seed to assure Miami had to play in Indy if there was a Game 7.

All they have to do now is prove they can beat the champs.