A record-setting second half by the Miami Heat fueled their 142-116 win over the Indiana Pacers Saturday night inside Kaseya Center.
Both teams were playing on the second night of a back-to-back, but it was only one team that looked like they had fresh legs throughout the 48 minutes.
Miami outscored the Pacers 83-56 in the second half, the most points it’s ever scored over the final two quarters in franchise history. The Heat shot 58.5 percent (compared to the Pacers’ 47.8 percent), including 7-of-15 from 3-point range, over that span.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Andrew Wiggins tied the team high with 28 points. Wiggins converted on 12 of his 16 shot attempts, while Jaquez went 11-for-15. Norman Powell scored 23 points while Nikola Jovic tallied 19 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals on 7-of-14 shooting in his second game back from injury.
Saturday marks the sixth time this season the Heat eclipsed 140 points — the first since Dec. 1. Collectively, they shot 51.4 percent and 12-of-31 from 3-point range. The Pacers didn’t shoot poorly (49.5 percent), but coughed up the rock a season-high 26 (!!) times. The Heat scored 38 points off those turnovers.
The Heat’s two-game win streak is their first in nearly a month, improving to 17-15. Meanwhile, the Pacers drop to 6-26 with their eighth-straight loss.
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Nico has +- 35 last night. That’s ridiculous.
I was afraid of this game, but despite being close for the majority of the game, we prevailed.
Pelle and JJJ were great again, Wiggins really good, and Nico had a game, which I thought would be his average one this season. He needs to maintain that.
Next up: Denver, Detroit and Minnesota.
I don’t expect this team to be a world beater. If a ss falls into their lap or a couple of real good trades are made, I would need to reconsider my playoff expectations.
Meanwhile, I don’t ask for a lot. I just want the guys to give it their best effort, be fearless and show incremental improvement in their games.
Good examples of current Heat players in the incremental development process are: Kasparas Jakucionis, Kel’el Ware, Pelle Larsson, Jaime Jaquez, Drew Smith, Nikola Jovich and Keshad Johnson. Not group to go along with Bam, Wiggins, Powell, Herro and who ever team can get for Rozier’s salary.
That’s a lot of depth. Good time to be a buyer and/or seller. Lots of potential trades are out there to either strengthen the team now or to acquire assets (young players and picks, for a short-term re-tooling/upgrading.
Whatever Riley does, I hope he stays away from the injury prone ones, the ones with personal baggage and/or head case issues, one-way players and players who can’t shoot to save their lives. If they also happen to be intelligent, athletic, easy for other players to get along with and pit bulls, even better.
its hard to accept mediocrity when your a heat fan.pat has spoiled us but w/o a ss all u can do.until a ss arrives in so beach all we can do is hope when gets here asap.congrats to niko on a good game now lets see where he goes from here.hes got lots of skills nothing really sticks out.his handle was real good lastnight.some nice passes.and he buried some js.for me this is his last shot these next 20 games.how bout keshads follow up backwards dunk wow.poor keshad never gets a keshot to play.u just look at that athletic build with skills ashame top 15 doesnt play him
Many good stories in this game. I said last game that Jovic looked better despite poor shooting percentage. He played well tonight. But he needs to do so consistently. Doesn’t need to score 19 every night.
Jaquez – amazing!
Wiggins – excellent!
Pelle – how many #44 picks have been better?
Powell – steady