NBA Cup: Heat's 20-Point Lead Over Pacers Reflects Roster Gap
Giannis Antetokounmpo posted a triple-double as Miami defeated a short-staffed Indiana squad 145-125 on Friday, extending their winning streak.
By Anthony Hoffmann ·
The Miami Heat dismantled the Indiana Pacers 145-125 on Friday night, securing the second victory in their NBA Cup opener. The 20-point margin exposed the depth issues plaguing the visitors, who fielded only 11 available players.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Miami with 31 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in 31 minutes. It marked his second triple-double of the season. Bam Adebayo contributed 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting. Klay Thompson added 25 points and seven three-pointers, placing him 55 makes behind Ray Allen for the third-most in NBA history.
Indiana scored 42 points in the first quarter but managed only 46 over the next two periods combined. The Heat outscored the Pacers 67-46 in that middle stretch. Pelle Larsson recorded 18 points and Davion Mitchell finished with 15 points and 11 assists for Miami.
The Pacers relied on Quenton Jackson for 24 points and Andrew Nembhard for 22. Jarace Walker added 14, while Pascal Siakam and Jay Huff recorded 13 each. Tyrese Haliburton sat out with a hamstring strain that will sideline him for at least two weeks. Obi Toppin left before Friday morning shootaround due to a back injury, according to acting coach Lloyd Pierce.
Pierce filled in for head coach Rick Carlisle, who traveled to Ogdensburg, New York, to attend his father’s funeral. The loss leaves the Pacers in a difficult position within the group stage. Historical data indicates that every team reaching the knockout round of the NBA Cup finished the opening round with a record of 4-0 or 3-1.
The Pacers host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. The Heat travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
Source: WSVN
