Miami Heat went 2-0 up in their series against Indiana Pacers, seeing out the second game on Thursday with a 9pt victory which gave them a good lead in the NBA Playoffs.
Today’s game was much closer, and with Victor Oladipo back in the side, Pacers were always going to challenge. Indiana started very well, taking a 2pt lead after the 1st quarter, but Miami came back stronger, outscoring them in the next two quarters. Pacers took the 4th quarter (23-21), but Miami had done enough to win 109-100.
Having missed the majority of the first game, withdrawing because of an eye injury, Oladipo started the second game and it was evident how much Pacers had missed him, and who knows where the pendulum of the first game would have swung if he had finished.
Oladipo led for Pacers with a team-high 22pts, making 1reb and 4st. He also made two steals in the game. The Shooting Guard attempted more outside shots (11) than any other player in the game.
Meanwhile, for Miami, Center Bam Adebayo made 7pts, 5reb and 4ast for his team. Gabe Vincent was an inactive player for Miami, and he has not featured in Heat’s last four games.
Pacers will hope they can somehow find a win in their third game on Saturday, to avoid allowing Miami to go 3-0 up.
“The series ain’t over man. We’re down 0-2, but it’s a seven game series for a reason” Oladipo said after the game.
