During an 82 game NBA season, people tend not to pay too much attention to regular season games, but there is one rivalry that is starting to change that.

The Pacers and the Heat have never been considered much of a rivalry until about two years ago when the Heat met the Pacers in the Conference Semi-Finals. In a heated series, the Heat edged the Pacers with a 4-2 series victory. The series was filled with hard fouls and boiling tension.

The two foes met again last year in the Conference Finals for a titanic showdown. The teams traded wins and the series was tied 3-3 heading into a huge game seven. With a trip to the NBA Finals on the line, LeBron James dropped a game high 32 points to lead the Heat to their second straight title appearance.

The teams both came into this season with high expectations. The Heat, being the two-time reigning champs, and the Pacers, looking to finally make that leap from fringe contenders to favorites to bring home the title.

The Pacers started out the season looking to establish themselves as the best team in the East, and they did so in winning their first nine games. They currently hold the number one seed in the East and lead the Heat by one and a half games.

The two teams have met just two times this season, splitting the series so far. The teams will meet two more times before the season is over, but it seems that another playoff showdown is inevitable.