The Miami Heat faced off against the Indiana Pacers on March 1, 2025, aiming to even the season series after losing two of their first three encounters. Last night at Kaseya Center, the Heat managed to secure a thrilling victory, topping the Pacers 125-120. Tyler Herro led Miami with 29 points and seven assists, showcasing his pivotal role throughout the game.
With just 43.8 seconds left on the clock, Davion Mitchell delivered the decisive moment of the game, sinking a 3-pointer to break the tie and give Miami the lead. Mitchell’s shot came after Indiana doubled up on Herro, leaving Mitchell wide open. "I knew I had to have the right look, and it just felt good when I released it," Mitchell shared after the game.
Miami built significant momentum during the game, matching their flying offensive performance against the Hawks just days prior. They displayed excellent shooting form, hitting 57% of their shots overall, and compiled 58% over their last two games, marking one of the hottest stretches for the team historically.
Despite missing key players, including Andrew Wiggins due to a sprained right ankle, the Heat adapted well with Jaime Jaquez Jr. stepping up as Wiggins' replacement. Unfortunately for Jaquez, he injured his ankle halfway through the third quarter and did not return. Bam Adebayo contributed 18 points to add to Miami's refined offensive showcase.
On the Pacers' side, Pascal Siakam was the standout player, scoring 36 points, including 18 during the intense fourth quarter to bring Indiana back up. Myles Turner supported Siakam with 22 points, and Tyrese Haliburton played well, contributing 19 points and 10 assists. Despite starting strong with 12 of their first 15 3-point attempts, Indiana faced some difficulties, shooting only 9 for 24 from beyond the arc as the game progressed.
“They’ve got a history of doing things hard here and embracing hard times and difficulty. This game will be nothing like our last game here,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle noted, referencing previous matchups where Indiana outplayed Miami. Carlisle was right; this close encounter proved to be different.
After trailing slightly at halftime, 69-68, Miami went on a 13-0 run spanning nearly four minutes, amplifying their efforts to take control of the game, and reaching as high as a 12-point lead. The players demonstrated unyielding teamwork, with four Miami players scoring at least 20 points, including Duncan Robinson and Davion Mitchell, each successfully supporting the Heat’s fast-paced strategy.
Indiana's fluctuated shooting percentage also contributed to their struggles. Early on, they thrived, shooting 66.7% from the field, but cooled off significantly as Miami tightened their defense. The Pacers went on to post at least 28 points during their first encounter on Jan. 2, contrasting sharply with last night's competitive edge.
With both teams initially off to hot starts and maintaining the intensity throughout the game, the matchup has become one to reflect particularly on Miami’s resilience to overcome obstacles and tackle competitive odds again.
Miami is headed home to face the New York Knicks next, continuing their away-game winning streak, hoping to leverage this victory to spark momentum over the weekend.
The entire game amalgamated several key strategic moves and dynamic plays between Miami’s attacking prowess versus Indiana’s tenacious defense—culminated by Miami’s triumph as they look to assert themselves effectively leading their playoffs pursuit.