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Tonight at 7:30, the Heat will host the Indiana Pacers at the AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami. This will be the third of four contests this season between the two teams. Indiana won the first two, both in Indiana, 90-87 on November 6th, and 96-83 on December 11th. The two teams will close the series back here in Miami on February 22nd.
The Heat is opening up a quick two-game homestand tonight. They'll finish up against the New York Knicks on Wednesday. The Pacers are playing in the first game of a four game road trip. They'll continue against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, and the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
As stated above, the last time Miami played Indiana was December 11th at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, when the two 12-8 teams played to a 96-83 Pacers victory. Monta Ellis led the way with 24 points, six helpers, six steals, and four rebounds. Paul George added 23 with eight boards, and Ian Mahinmi had 18 with 12, respectively. Chris Bosh paced the Heat with 23 points and 10 rebounds, Dwyane Wade had 20 with five assists and five boards, and Gerald Green tossed in 13 in the loss.
Just one of those nights. I was feeling good. - Ellis
Indy Cornrows has the Pacers.
Miami's last game was a 97-75 win over the Washington Wizards, last night in Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. Chris Bosh had 23 points and seven rebounds, Goran Dragic scored 18 with five assists, Gerald Green came off the bench for 15 and four boards, and Hassan Whiteside pitched in with six points, six blocks, and 13 rebounds. John Wall led the Wizards with 14 points, but Washington only shot 34% on the night, including just 9% in the second quarter.
It's hard to judge your defense when your offense was as bad as it was. - Wizards coach Randy Wittman
For more on the Wiz, head over to Bullets Forever.
Indiana's last game was a 94-82 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday at Bankers' Life Fieldhouse, at their home in Indianapolis, IN. Paul George had 32 points and 14 rebounds for Indiana to lead the way, George Hill hit seven-of-eight shots from the floor to pitch in with 18, and Monta Ellis scored 14 with three assists and three boards. Kentavious Caldwell Pope (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Andre Drummond (11 points, 18 rebounds) led six Pistons in double-figures in the loss.
He got going from the perimeter, we kept going to him and he kept delivering. It was a great fourth quarter. - Pacers coach Frank Vogel on George
Detroit Bad Boys is SB Nation's source for Pistons' news.
GameTime: 7:30PM
Odds: Miami by -2
All-Time Head2Head: Miami is only 41-60 against Indiana all-time. It's Miami's worst winning percentage (.406) against any Eastern Conference team.
Standings
Miami Heat: 20-13, .606, on pace for 50-32. First in the Southeast Division, third in the Eastern Conference, seventh in the NBA. Last Five: W-L-L-W-W. Playoff Odds:
Indiana Pacers: 19-14, 576, on pace for 47-35. Third in the Central Division, sixth in the Eastern Conference, 11th in the NBA.
Probable Starters
Miami Heat
PG - Goran Dragic, 32.2 minutes, 11.9 points, 5.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals
SG - Dwyane Wade, 29.7 minutes, 18.3 points, 4.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals
C - Hassan Whiteside, 29.2 minutes, 12.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 blocks
SF - Luol Deng, 30.8 minutes, 10.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals
PF - Chris Bosh, 33.2 minutes, 18.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Indiana Pacers
PG - George Hill, 34.9 minutes, 12.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
SG - Monta Ellis, 32.9 minutes, 13.1 points, 4.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals
C - Ian Mahinmi, 23.9 minutes, 8.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 blocks
SF - CJ Miles, 27.6 minutes, 14.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists 1.0 steals
PF - Paul George, 35.7 minutes, 24.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.7 steals
Hot Hot Hoops will go live with the GameThread, tonight around 7PM.
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