Miami Heat defeated the weak Pacers 123-99 in a performance that defies their competitor status.
Against the worst team in the NBA, the Heat stumbled from a 25-point deficit early on at Gainbridge Fieldhouse and never recovered. They suffered an embarrassing defeat that added to concerns about their rocky start to a critical road trip.
Game Overview: How the Pacers redirected the Heat
The history of the Miami Heat, defeated by the Pacers 123-99, was written in the first quarter.
Miami opened 0-for-11 from three-point range and was outscored 36-18, setting the tone of offensive ineptitude.
A brief recovery in the third quarter cut the deficit to seven points before a complete collapse allowed Indiana to extend the lead to 29.
Tyler Herro’s 21 points weren’t enough as Bam Adebayo was held to 13 and the team went a disastrous 4-for-30 from distance, culminating in coach Erik Spoelstra leaving the bench empty for the final eight minutes.
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Key factors in the Heat’s loss to the Pacers
Critical Game Breakdown:
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Disastrous start of filming: The Heat opened the game 0-for-11 from three-point range and shot just 4-for-30 (13.3%) from long range for the entire game.
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Early defensive mistakes: Allowed the Pacers, the NBA’s worst-ranked team, to score 36 points in the first quarter and immediately build a 25-point lead.
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Failed comeback attempt: A brief recovery in the third quarter cut the deficit to 7 points, but the team immediately collapsed, allowing Indiana to go on a 29-point run.
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Star Performances Limited: Tyler Herro (21 points) was inefficient (1-8 from three), while Bam Adebayo only had 13 points. Norman Powell’s 35-game streak of scoring in double figures ended with 6 points.
Road trip problems and a threatening schedule
The consequences of the Miami Heat’s loss at the hands of the weak Pacers extend beyond one game. This loss compounds a journey that began with a loss in Minnesota and a postponed game in Chicago.
The outlook grows bleaker as the Heat now face a gauntlet: their next four games are against the Oklahoma City Thunder (twice), Phoenix Suns and Boston Celtics.
This disastrous performance against the league’s bottom team raises pressing questions about the team’s focus, execution and ability to compete with the elite teams that await them.
Sources:
This game recap is based on the official NBA box score and post-game coverage.
Check out the full box score: NBA.com game recap