Indiana Pacers game preview: Pacers play final game before trade deadline in Miami vs Heat
The Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat will battle for the fourth and final time of the 2022-23 NBA season tonight. The Pacers have won two of the first three meetings.
Despite a two-game losing streak, the Heat have found their footing in 2023 and have climbed to sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers, meanwhile, have tumbled to 10th in this calendar year. Both teams will be looking to move up in the standing with play-in and playoff positioning at stake.
"We have to go back to Miami with that intensity," Pacers forward Oshae Brissett said of the game, calling back to how the Pacers played when they beat the Heat just before Christmas.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Miami-Dade Arena, Miami, Florida
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, Bally Sports Sun
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are underdogs as they are +6.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 223.5.
Pacers vs Heat Injury Report
For the Pacers, wing Chris Duarte (left ankle) is questionable. Wing Kendall Brown and guard Trevelin Queen are listed as questionable as a part of their two-way contracts.
For the Heat, Nikola Jovic, Kyle Lowry, Victor Oladipo, Duncan Robinson, and Omer Yurtseven are out. Orlando Robinson and Gabe Vincent are probable. Jamal Cain is questionable.
Key Matchups
Tyrese Haliburton vs Gabe Vincent: Tyrese Haliburton had the best game of his career in Miami against the Heat in late 2022. He finished with 43 points, which is his career high, and knocked down a Pacers franchise record 10 threes. To top it all off, he hit the game winning jumper with 2.6 seconds to go.
Haliburton also had the worst game of his season earlier in the campaign against the Heat, finishing with just one point. He is vital to the Pacers' success tonight, and Gabe Vincent will do his best to slow Indiana's All-Star.
Myles Turner vs Bam Adebayo: Bam Adebayo always seems to do well against the blue and gold. The All-Star big man is versatile, mobile, and relentless, which makes him tough to deal with on both ends. He has 58 points in three games against the Pacers this season and has been a +5 in those games.
Myles Turner has been playing well since receiving a contract extension last week, and he will need to continue that form against Adebayo. The Pacers need a big night from their defensive anchor.
- Why a contract extension made sense for the Indiana Pacers and Myles Turner. CLICK HERE.
- Daniel Theis debuted for the Indiana Pacers and showed how he can help the team. CLICK HERE.
- Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis soaks in his return to Indiana: 'Everything was great. The vibes were great.' CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers rookies Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard were named to the NBA Rising Stars team. CLICK HERE.
- Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All Pacers SI
- Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers
