The Miami Heat are looking to rebound following a, 113-103, loss to the Chicago Bulls, as they take on the Indiana Pacers in Miami Friday night. The Heat will be looking to get back in the win column and overcome some of its injury problems against a team that they have quite the history against as these two teams battle before heading into the holiday weekend.
Players To Watch
Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will be the players to watch in this game against the Pacers, as they are coming off pretty good stretches of play. Herro, who had 19 points and seven assists in their last game against the Bulls and Adebayo, who had 27 points and 12 rebounds, will both be looking to help the Miami Heat on both ends of the court.
Herro will need to come into this game locked in from behind the three-point arc, finding teammates to make plays, and being a leader that the Heat can rely on in late situations. Adebayo will need to bring his defensive intensity by locking the paint down for no easy baskets, rebounding the boards to not allow any second-chance efforts, and attacking the glass on both ends of the court to help slow down the Pacers’ offensive output.
The Miami Heat are at it again Friday and looking to get back in the win column. They’ll have to contain the explosive Tyrese Haliburton again to do it though.
Key To The Game
- Keep Feet Planted– The Miami Heat allowed too many easy fouls in their last game, as a result of the Bulls attacking the paint and the Heat looking to come up with a block, ultimately leading to the foul. Miami needs to keep their feet planted, don’t allow too many easy baskets in the paint, and slow down the Pacer offense on the quick attacks.
- Make Plays For Teammates– The Miami Heat had a total of 26 assists as a team against the Bulls. Miami needs to keep making plays for one another, find the open man from behind the arc or in the paint, and create unique opportunities that will lead to easy points.
- Focus As A Team– The Miami Heat are currently dealing with a few injuries, including to their star players like Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry. Miami needs to pull together, rely on one another, make plays that can help them gain a lead early in the game, and then, hopefully, hold it.
Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers Odds And Predictions
Moneyline: MIA -265 IND +225
Spread: MIA -6.5
Total: 225
Prediction
The Miami Heat are fighting to get back into the Eastern Conference playoff race as we get ready to enter the second part of the season. Miami will need to pick up key wins and overcome teams like the Indiana Pacers if they are looking to make a mark before the All-Star break.
Miami will need to play a complete game to walk out with a, 110-105, win over the Pacers. If they can hold Tyrese Haliburton down anything like they did in their last meeting, they should have no problem getting it done.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change