The Indiana Pacers ignite fourth-quarter fury, stifling the Miami Heat's offense with a decisive run to secure a crucial victory.
The Miami Heat’s chances of getting out of the Play-In Tournament continue to diminish after a 135–118 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. After what was a competitive game, the trajectory changed in the fourth quarter. The Pacers sparked a 23-6 run, allowing them to complete the upset at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Fifth-year center Micah Potter had an impactful performance: 21 points on 77.8 percent shooting, five three-pointers made, and five rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench. The 27-year-old was a former member of the Heat’s G-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, playing for just a season.
However, it was All-Star forward Pascal Siakam who led the charge. The 10-year veteran finished with a team-high 30 points on 45.8 percent shooting, including three three-pointers made, 11 rebounds, six assists, and a steal in 31 minutes. He reached double-figures scoring in both the second and fourth quarters.
Tyler Herro was the Heat’s only high-volume, efficient scorer. The former All-Star guard finished with a game-high 54.4 percent from the field, including five three-pointers made, three rebounds, and four assists in 36 minutes. However, every player finished with a negative in the plus-minus category.
The Heat’s offense became stagnant in the final 12 minutes of regulation, shooting 17.9 percent from the field, missing all eight three-point attempts. The defense wasn’t sustainable enough to keep the game within reach. The team’s record falls to 39-36, ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. They’re guaranteed a spot at least in the Play-In Tournament, but are currently three games short of securing a top-six seed.
“Defensively, we’ve shown toughness throughout the season,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We just haven’t been able to do it in these last several losses. But I know our guys want this. We’re going to take this [loss], take that last [loss] against [the] Cleveland [Cavaliers]. They’re two very disappointing losses. We’re going to go back to Miami and figure out how to get this one tomorrow [Monday]. That’s our only focus right now. We know what it is, we know what we have to do. But we have to focus tomorrow against [the Philadelphia 76ers]. Bring in a great game on both sides of the floor.”
The Heat were without All-Star guard Norman Powell due to back spasms and illness, with no current timetable for return. The team only has seven games remaining on the regular season schedule. The Monday matchup against the Sixers will be important given how close both teams are in the standings.
Limited opportunities remain over the next couple of weeks.
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