Heat Beat Pacers 145-125 in NBA Cup Opener as Giannis Antetokounmpo Posts a Triple-Double
Giannis Antetokounmpo's 31 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists powered Miami's first home win of the season, a 145-125 rout of the short-handed Indiana Pacers to open NBA Cup group play at Kaseya Center.
The Miami Heat's NBA Cup opener turned into their best night of the young season. Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double - 31 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists - and Miami cruised past the visiting Indiana Pacers 145-125 on Friday night at Kaseya Center, the Heat's first home win and their second straight victory after an 0-4 start.
It did not start as a rout. Indiana, dressing just 11 players - eight on standard contracts - because of injuries, hung 42 points on Miami in the first quarter. The Heat answered with a 22-7 run to close the half ahead 68-61, then opened the third quarter on a 10-0 run, pushing the lead to 78-61 on Klay Thompson's third 3-pointer of the night. Thompson finished with 25 points on seven 3-pointers, and Bam Adebayo added 27 points and nine rebounds.
Quenton Jackson led Indiana with 24 points off the bench, but the Pacers never recovered from Miami's middle-quarter surge - the Heat outscored them 67-46 across the second and third quarters on the AP's count. Miami outscored Indiana 42-37 in the fourth to close it out. Both teams are 2-4; Miami is 1-0 in Cup group play. The Heat visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.