A Finals berth at stake for Heat and Pacers, who settle the East title with a Game 7

MIAMI – One game. To the winner, a trip to the NBA Finals. To the loser, an offseason loaded with regret.

It's that simple now for the reigning champion Miami Heat and the confident Indiana Pacers, who meet in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday night. The Heat are at home, earning that considerable perk by finishing with the league's best record this season.

Miami won Game 1, Indiana won Game 2 and the teams have been alternating victories since. On Saturday, the Pacers won to even the series at three victories apiece. Miami has not lost consecutive games since the second week of January.

The winner meets San Antonio in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.