INDIANAPOLIS — In an impressive display on Sunday, Myles Turner led the Indiana Pacers to a 119-110 triumph over the Miami Heat, scoring a remarkable 34 points. Alongside him, Bennedict Mathurin contributed significantly with 21 points and 12 rebounds, ensuring a strong performance for the Pacers. Pascal Siakam added another 23 points to the mix, while Tyrese Haliburton chipped in with 16 points and 13 assists, highlighting a well-rounded team effort.

The Heat, missing their key player Jimmy Butler due to a sprained ankle, found their offense reliant on Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, who scored 28 and 24 points, respectively. Unfortunately for Miami, they were dominated in the paint, being outscored 62-28, which played a crucial role in their defeat.

This victory was particularly sweet for the Pacers, as they were eager to recover from their previous outing against the Heat, a disappointing 124-111 loss that left coach Rick Carlisle feeling “ashamed.” Indiana took control early, never falling behind during the game’s course.

Injuries have marred Miami’s season start, with Butler expected to return for their next matchup but the team losing Jaime Jaquez to a sprained right ankle during the game. This adds to the challenges faced by the Heat, who currently stand at 5-7.

On the other hand, the Pacers have dealt effectively with their injury setback, particularly through the rising performance of Mathurin. As a third-year player, he has stepped up in the absence of Aaron Nesmith, managing to surpass the 20-point mark in four of his last six games.

A critical moment in the contest came when Haliburton, who started the game shooting poorly, made a comeback by sinking two consecutive three-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Heat tied the game at 97. This proved essential in maintaining the lead for the Pacers.

An interesting statistic from the game highlighted that 30 out of the 44 baskets made by the Pacers were assisted, with Haliburton and T.J. McConnell collectively providing 18 assists. In stark contrast, no player from the Heat managed to record more than four assists.

Looking ahead, the Pacers are set to travel to Toronto for their next game on Monday, while the Heat will return home to face the Philadelphia 76ers on the same day.