Antetokounmpo, Adebayo Lead Heat Past Short-Handed Pacers
Miami outscored Indiana 67-46 in the middle quarters to win the opener of NBA Cup play on Friday.
By Riya Zhao ·
The Miami Heat beat the Indiana Pacers 145-125 on Friday night to start the NBA Cup.
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 31 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists. Bam Adebayo added 27 points on 11 of 14 shooting. The Heat outscored the Pacers 67-46 in the second and third quarters.
Klay Thompson scored 25 points and made seven 3-pointers. He is now 55 makes away from matching Ray Allen for third-most 3s in NBA history. Pelle Larsson contributed 18 points and Davion Mitchell had 15 points and 11 assists for Miami.
The Pacers played with only 11 available players. Tyrese Haliburton is out for at least two weeks with a hamstring strain. Obi Toppin left before practice Friday morning due to a back injury. Acting coach Lloyd Pierce called the lineup after Rick Carlisle left to attend his father's funeral in Ogdensburg, New York.
Indiana scored 42 points in the first quarter but only 46 in the next two periods. Quenton Jackson finished with 24 points and Andrew Nembhard had 22. Jarace Walker added 14, while Pascal Siakam and Jay Huff each scored 13.
Every team that has reached the knockout round in the tournament's four-year history went either 4-0 or 3-1 in the opening stage. The Pacers host Brooklyn on Sunday. The Heat visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
