Page "Indiana Pacers" Paragraph 42

Hopes were high for the Pacers following their strong showing in the 2011 playoffs, but that had to wait until their regular season began on December 26, 2011, due to the lockout.

The Pacers removed the interim tag and named Frank Vogel their permanent head coach.

They landed George Hill from the San Antonio Spurs on draft night.

After the lockout, the Pacers signed former two-time All-Star power forward David West to a two-year deal.

These new players contributed to the Pacers record of 21-12 at the All Star break.

The Pacers acquired another key piece in Leandro Barbosa from the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline, mid-season.

At the end of the 2011-12 season, the team, led in scoring by Danny Granger, Clinched the playoffs as the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference.

They finished with a 42-24 record, their best record since their 2003-04 season.

On May 8, 2012, the Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 105-87 to win their first playoff series since 2005 and would go on to play the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

On May 15, 2012 they defeated Miami to tie the second round series at 1-1.

On May 17, 2012, they again beat Miami 94-75 to take the series 2-1.

However, despite a hard fought series between the two, the Heat would win in Game 6 to close the series at 4-2.