Anticipation for the O'Neal and Wade duo soared to new heights.
At this time, people inevitably started comparing them to the Indiana Pacers.
All sorts of predictions began to surface.
Although the Heat had a lot of momentum, only forty percent of predictions favored them to win, while sixty percent believed the Pacers would come out of the East.
After all, the Pacers were the defending champions, and their strength had not diminished this season.
While the Heat were strong, with a superstar center and a superstar guard, it was still their first season together and they were just beginning to build chemistry.
"I didn't lose to the Pacers in last season's Finals because I couldn't dominate the paint. I'm going to use this series to prove whose fault it really was that we lost."
Shaquille O'Neal was usually all laughs and jokes, but before heading to Indiana, he made a powerful statement.
He wanted to prove himself.
