After two losses by a single point and conceding an average of 129 points… Indiana changed the game script to host Miami. In their first meeting as a local we experienced what can be defined as a stale clash of the Eastern Conference, since there was not much show, but there was dedication and defense. In the end, and despite the resistance of Florida, the victory remained in Indianapolis 102-91 after overtime.
Indiana needed him after touching him twice. The boys now trained by Rick Carlisle did not want to be 0-3 in the first substitution and showed it quickly to, after a somewhat hesitant start, launch their lead to 12 points in the second quarter. They seemed to have the night on track, but that feeling faded in the third quarter, when they scored only eight points … The Heat were in the game, enough to force extra time with a Tyler Herro basket (huge with 30 points from the bench) . There was the resistance of Miami. In overtime the Pacers completely dominated with a 15-6 run.
“The match really came down to a much better defense than we played in the first two games. In the first two games we just swapped baskets. When you do that, they can bite you, “says the head coach of Indiana.
In a night of mistakes (Indiana shot 39.2 percent from the field and Miami stayed at 38.5), who did not miss his numerical appointment was Domantas Sabonis. The inside player for Indiana signed a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, to which he added 4 assists and 4 steals, to once again be the anchor of his team. He was also accompanied by double scoring figures Chris Duarte (19), Malcolm Brogdon (18 points and 14 rebounds) and Oshae Brissett, who surprised 18 points from the bench.
Miami, sin Lowry
That’s how it is. In their second meeting of the regular season the Heat had to deal with the absence of the veteran point guard, and they noticed it. In his place appeared in the starting five Gabe Vincent, but his 2 points and 3 assists in 25 minutes were little contribution. Who did take a step forward was a Tyler Herro who has started the course more than plugged in. Last night he was the top scorer of his team with 30 points from the bench. Along with him, Bam Adebayo (17 points and 16 rebounds) and Jimmy Butler (19 points) also had good numbers.
The All-Star guard believes they were the victims of their own mistakes. “We miss a lot of shots that we normally take, including myself. I have to be better overall.” Erik Spoelstra for his part understands that the Indiana defense also had a lot to do with what was seen on the floor. «You have to give credit to his defense. Our attack just didn’t score enough points. We missed some shots », he concludes.
(Photograph by Andy Lyons / Getty Images)