MIAMI (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a standout performance, scoring 31 points and achieving his second triple-double of the season as the Miami Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers 145-125 on Friday night. Antetokounmpo also recorded 17 rebounds and 10 assists in just 31 minutes, contributing significantly to the Heat’s victory.
Bam Adebayo and Klay Thompson were key players for Miami, with Adebayo adding 27 points and shooting 11 of 14 from the field. Thompson marked his best game since joining the Heat, scoring 25 points and making seven three-pointers. He is now 55 three-pointers away from tying Ray Allen for third-most in NBA history.
The Heat outscored the Pacers 67-46 in the second and third quarters, taking control of the game after a competitive start. Indiana initially scored 42 points in the first quarter but struggled to maintain that momentum, managing only 46 points in the following two quarters.
For the Pacers, Quenton Jackson led with 24 points, while Andrew Nembhard contributed 22 points. Jarace Walker added 14 points, and both Pascal Siakam and Jay Huff scored 13 points each. Despite a strong start, the team faced challenges with only 11 available players due to injuries. Tyrese Haliburton is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks with a hamstring strain, and Obi Toppin was sidelined after experiencing back issues before the game.
Lloyd Pierce, who stepped in as the acting head coach for the Pacers while Rick Carlisle attended his father’s funeral, noted the team’s difficulties in facing such a short roster. The loss complicates Indiana’s path in the group stage of the NBA Cup, where teams typically need to achieve a strong record to advance to the knockout rounds.
Looking ahead, the Pacers will host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, while the Heat will visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
