MIAMI -- Dwyane Wades rookie season ended with a playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers. The next year, the Miami Heat were headed to the Eastern Conference finals and certain that an NBA championship was in their sights. Thats when Wade learned a valuable lesson: Never take playoff chances for granted. Wade hurt his rib cage on a simple crossover dribble during that 2005 East title series, and the Heat season ended with a Game 7 home loss to Detroit. Hes been to the East finals three times since, prevailing in them all, and on Wednesday will look to take a first step toward a fourth conference championship when the Heat play host to the Pacers in Game 1 of their playoff rematch from a year ago. "I know Im blessed to be going to the Eastern Conference finals for my fifth time," Wade said. "But I would like a lot more in my career. Its a good thing. Weve been very successful in my tenure here. But I want more." For Wade and Udonis Haslem, this marks five East finals appearances in nine years. For LeBron James, its a fifth trip to this round in the past seven years, now three straight with Miami after a pair of trips to the East finals with Cleveland. For Ray Allen, its a fourth East title-round trip in six years, the first three of those coming with Boston. Experience, it all favours Miami. For the Pacers, this is pretty much uncharted waters. Only one current Pacers player has ever appeared in a conference-final game, and that was backup big man Ian Mahinmi, who played exactly 71 seconds in one game of the 2011 West title series without so much as taking a shot. Nonetheless, the Pacers seem far from bothered by the fact that this stage is a new place for them. "Theres four teams left playing basketball in the NBA and this is something weve been looking forward to all year," Pacers forward David West said. "We lost to this team in the second round last year, so weve already gotten a step farther this season." Indiana took Miami to six games last season, leading the series 2-1 at one point, and left an impact on the Heat with words, actions and play. The series was always physical, at times bloody, and it took some superb efforts by Wade and James for Miami -- which was without Chris Bosh for 5 1/2 of those six games -- to put the Pacers away. Its not in the nature of either of these teams to back down from physicality, and tough play will almost certainly be a theme in this series. But if theres one thing the Pacers and Heat agree upon, its that this series will be decided by execution, not intimidation. "I think this will be about substance," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "This series has plenty to offer without hard fouls and trash-talking. Its going to be about basketball." The Heat are overwhelming favourites, at least according to the Las Vegas oddsmakers, who apparently arent putting much stock in that it was the Pacers who prevailed in two of the three meetings between the teams this season. In turn, the Heat arent putting much stock in expectations. Even though its starting to seem like an annual event, getting to the conference final round, Heat players insist that its still as big a deal now as it ever was. "Its an opportunity for me to continue my dream and thats to compete for a championship," said James, the leagues reigning MVP for the second straight year and fourth time overall. "Im happy that Im in the position Im in, with great teammates and a great organization. Ive just got to do my part." Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was an assistant on that team -- Shaquille ONeals initial season in Miami -- that fully expected to be Finals-bound in 2005. Then Wade got hurt, and everything changed. "I let myself get too far ahead," Wade said. "I was thinking, Championship, were on our way. I was riding the wave. It was awesome. Then it smacked me -- Pow! -- and it just takes one moment to change. Stupid. All I did was crossover. Did a stupid crossover pullup, I dont know what happened and it changed everything for us. Thats when you learn, you dont know whats going to happen." Wade isnt 100 per cent this time around either, though has said in recent days that his bruised right knee is good enough for him to play. He doesnt even plan on missing any more practice time this season. The Pacers have some mild injury concerns as well, with West dealing with an injury to his lower right leg and 7-foot-2 centre Roy Hibbert needing a tape job on his right thumb after a hit in practice earlier this week. Theyre both expected to play Wednesday. "I think it will be a good series," Pacers forward Paul George said. "Obviously, we remember what happened last year and it will be on our mind when we face this team. Were not just happy to get to this stage, we want to get past this one, too." George has deservedly earned high marks this season for his offensive growth. The Pacers hopes in this series might hinge upon his defence. He went from guarding Carmelo Anthony in the second round to knowing that hell be facing off plenty in this series against James -- who Vogel called "the best player, the best offensive player in the world." "He has to do the same kind of thing he did on Carmelo," Vogel said of George. "He has to come out and compete the best he can and do it without fouling." James told teammates on Tuesday that hes raring to go, especially so since the Heat havent played in about a week. He was working after practice on his floating jumpers, something he employed against the massiveness of Hibbert last season and a trick he wont be afraid to pull out and use again in this series. "Its been go time," James said. "Since the playoffs started, its been go time. And I love the way weve been playing so far." Adidas Eqt Support Adv White . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Adidas Alexander Wang Uk . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. http://www.adioutletukstore.com/uk-adidas-yeezy-boost-700.html . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. Yeezy Boost 750 Black For Sale . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. Adidas Superstar Shoes Cheap Price . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Racing 92-bound Leone Nakarawa has made the Fiji squad for Rio 2016 after Ben Ryan confirmed the 13-man party that will head to the Olympic Games as favourites to lift the Sevens crown.Nakarawa, who was one of the stars of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, features alongside captain Osea Kolinisau and other mainstays on the Sevens Series Josua Tuisova, Kitione Taliga, Samisoni Viriviri, Savenaca Rawaca, Semi Kunatani, Vatemo Ravouvou, Viliame Mata and Jerry Tuwai.It was a tough task for Ryan to whittle down the squad to the final 13-man group -- Masivesi Dakuwaqa travels as a reserve -- with Jarryd Hayne a notable omission. But Ryan was encouraged by the way the whole squad reacted to his selection calls.I knew I was going to havee difficult decisions, Ryan said.dddddddddddd. And you want to have difficult decisions. Last night I sat in my bure and one by one the boys came in and one by one I told them their fate and to a man they were outstanding in the way they took their news.If they werent selected they thanked us, they shook our hands and they left with their heads held high.Fiji squad: Osea Kolinisau (c), Apisai Domolailai, Jasa Veremalua, Josua Tuisova, Kitione Taliga, Leone Nakarawa, Samisoni Viriviri, Savenaca Rawaca, Semi Kunatani, Vatemo Ravouvou, Viliame Mata, Jerry TuwaiTravelling reserve: Masivesi Dakuwaqa Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '