In a dramatic finish on Thursday night, the Indiana Pacers finally broke free from a prolonged slump, defeating the Charlotte Hornets and in the process, delivering a monumental milestone for their head coach. The victory snapped a frustrating 13-game losing streak for the Pacers, who improved their season record to 7-31.
A Milestone Victory in the Final Minute
The game's defining moment came in its last minute, when forward Pascal Siakam made the crucial plays to secure the win. This wasn't just any victory for the Pacers; it marked the 1,000th career regular-season win for veteran coach Rick Carlisle. Siakam led the charge with a dominant stat line of 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 assists. He received significant support from guard T.J. McConnell, who came off the bench to pour in a season-high 23 points and 8 assists.
Heat's Unusual Layoff Sets Stage for Saturday Clash
Fresh off ending their losing streak, the Pacers now turn their attention to the Miami Heat (20-17). The Heat are coming into this game after an unexpected and unusual break. Their scheduled Thursday matchup against the Chicago Bulls was postponed due to unsafe court conditions at the United Center. Condensation formed on the floor following a Chicago Blackhawks ice hockey game, exacerbated by an unseasonably warm day in Chicago, rendering the basketball court unplayable.
The game between the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat is set for Saturday at 7:00 PM ET. The action will take place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Fans can catch the live broadcast on Bally Sports Sun and Bally Sports Indiana, with additional streaming options available via NBA League Pass and FuboTV.
Team Lineups and Injury Concerns
Both teams are dealing with significant absences heading into this contest. The Pacers' injury report is particularly lengthy, sidelining key players. The expected starting lineups and major injuries are as follows:
Indiana Pacers Expected Starters:
- PG: Andrew Nembhard
- SG: Ben Sheppard
- SF: Aaron Nesmith
- PF: Pascal Siakam
- C: Jay Huff
Miami Heat Expected Starters:
- PG: Davion Mitchell
- SG: Tyler Herro
- SF: Norman Powell
- PF: Andrew Wiggins
- C: Bam Adebayo
Injury Report: For Indiana, Andrew Nembhard is listed as day-to-day with a back issue. Key players Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Bennedict Mathurin (thumb), Obi Toppin (post-surgery), and Isaiah Jackson (concussion) are all out. Miami will be without guard Terry Rozier, who has been placed on immediate leave.
Game Prediction and Pacers' Uphill Battle
Statistically, this matchup presents an interesting opportunity for three-point shooting. When the Heat are on the road, the opposing team's starting small forwards average the third-most three-point attempts per game (5.8) in the league this season. This game kicks off a four-game homestand for Indiana, who will host the Boston Celtics on Monday after facing Miami.
However, the odds remain stacked against the Pacers. When bookmakers have listed Indiana as an underdog of +244 or more this season, their record is a dismal 1-12, translating to a mere 7.7% win rate. Based on the implied probability from the moneyline, the Pacers have roughly a 29.1% chance of pulling off a second consecutive victory against the Heat.
