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SHOCKING pundits who expected their overtime loss in Game 1 would shatter Indiana's confidence, the Pacers instead go home with their Eastern Conference Final against Miami locked at 1-1.

It was a particularly tough 48 hours for Pacers centre Roy Hibbert, answering endless questions about coach Frank Vogel's decision to keep him on the bench in the final seconds of the Heat's series-opening win on Thursday.

He tweeted his view on what he felt was an intentional knee-to-the-groin by Heat swingman Shane Battier in that same game, then put it all behind him and monstered the Heat in Game 2's 97-93 win.

Known for his shot-blocking and defensive prowess - just ask Carmelo Anthony about the former - the 218cm man-mountain was an offensive juggernaut with a playoff career-high 29 points and 10 boards, his fourth double-double of the playoffs.

Importantly, he was on the court for the game's final seconds when LeBron James twice committed Heat turnovers, Pacers forward David West twice guessing correctly and getting his hand in the passing lane for key deflections.

"I get asked a lot of questions about whether I should be in the game or not, but you never know," Hibbert said. "Things could have been different but you have to let it go and just keep rolling with the punches.

"Miami is such a good team that they have five guys on the court who are deadly, who are basically five perimeter players with (Chris) Bosh. So you have to let it go and just move on to the next thing."

The Pacers moved on admirably in Game 2. After Miami took the lead, Hibbert used his hook shot to tie the game at 91-91.

"I thought Hibbert was big tonight," said James, the reigning MVP who had a game-high 36 points.

"Every time we kind of made a run, he was able to make some big shots, especially in the fourth quarter. He had his jump-hook going, he had his rolls going."

For all the bad blood between the Pacers and Heat in last year's playoffs and some physical play in this series, James and Indiana's Paul George had a friendly exchange at the end of the third quarter.

It came mere minutes after George had schooled James with a one-on-one move from the top of the key, throwing down one of the playoffs' greatest dunks on the head of Chris "Birdman" Anderson. He also added the bonus free throw.

James went straight back at George, hitting a three-pointer from the Miami City Limits, to close the third on a high.

As they exited the court, James low-fived George.

The gesture, naturally, drew unfavorable comparisons for James with Michael Jordan and how MJ "never would have given an opponent that sort of respect" etcetera.

Sigh. It's still a game, not life-and-death.

"LeBron is someone I have utmost respect for," George said.

"He leaned over and told me: `I got you back, young fella'."

George finished with 22 points and six assists, so the last laugh is still with Indiana, this series very much alive.