MIAMI – Indiana Pacers players say they have to protect themselves, especially their knees, when Miami Heat forward Shane Battier is in the game during the Eastern Conference finals.

Ahead of Thursday's pivotal Game 5 with the series tied 2-2, Pacers big men David West and Roy Hibbert said part of the Pacers' preparation for the Heat is to watch out for Battier attempting to take shots at their knees.

"I (learned) to always have my guard up and protect my knees," West said. "(Battier) has got this funny way of moving into your knees. We're very conscious of that. We talk about making sure we protect our knees."