Heat Beat Pacers 124-111 in NBA Cup Play
Adebayo Leads the Way with 30 Points and 11 Rebounds
Indianapolis, IN – Bam Adebayo scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Miami Heat to a 124-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers in NBA Cup play on Friday night.
Final Quarter Surge
Adebayo scored 17 points in the final quarter as the Heat pulled away to even their NBA Cup record at 1-1. Tyler Herro added 20 points, Kevin Love chipped in with 15, and Haywood Highsmith contributed 14 points in the first of two straight games between the teams. They meet again on Sunday in Indianapolis.
Pacers Struggle with Defense
Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 21 points off the bench, while Tyrese Haliburton had 18 points and eight assists. The game was Indiana’s NBA Cup opener after reaching the final last year. The Pacers struggled with their defense, allowing open 3-point looks and uncontested baskets at the rim.
Takeaways
- The Heat needed a bounce-back win after an embarrassing overtime loss on Tuesday, where coach Erik Spoelstra called for a timeout that Miami didn’t have, resulting in a technical foul that gave the Pistons the winning free throw.
- The Pacers’ spotty defense has been a continual issue, allowing opponents to score easily.
Key Moment
Kevin Love scored the Heat’s first 13 points of the second half, building a 13-point lead that reached as high as 22 in the third quarter. Love had scored just nine points in his other two games this season.
Key Stat
The Heat had a 10-point advantage in foul shots, making 19 of 23 to the Pacers’ 9 of 11.
Up Next
The Heat visit the Pacers on Sunday.
Conclusion
The Heat’s victory was a much-needed bounce-back win after their embarrassing loss on Tuesday. Adebayo’s dominant performance led the way, and the Heat’s strong foul shooting helped them secure the win. The Pacers will look to improve their defense and get back on track in their next game.
FAQs
Q: Who led the Heat in scoring?
A: Bam Adebayo scored 30 points and had 11 rebounds.
Q: Who led the Pacers in scoring?
A: Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 21 points off the bench.
Q: What was the final score?
A: The Heat won 124-111.
Q: When do the Heat and Pacers meet again?
A: They meet again on Sunday in Indianapolis.
