|
 Miami also got 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists from point
guard Goran Dragic.
Indiana's star was forward Paul George, who had 31 points and 11
rebounds, his 12th double-double of the season. He is averaging over
30 points in four games against Miami this season.
The Pacers could have won the game when guard Monta Ellis was fouled
by Heat guard Dwyane Wade with 0.8 seconds left in the fourth
quarter. Trailing 88-87, Ellis missed the first free throw before
making the second, sending the game to overtime.
Wade, who was held to 16 points on 4-of-21 shooting, made two free
throws with 4.5 seconds left in the fourth quarter to put Miami in
position to win in regulation.
Whiteside, who nearly had his second straight 20-20 game in points
and rebounds, surpassed 1,000 rebounds for his career. He is the
fastest player in Heat history to reach that milestone.
Heat forward Luol Deng suffered a dislocated right middle finger but
still managed 13 points and a season-high 16 rebounds -- his third
straight double-double.
The Heat (31-24) split the four-game season series with the Pacers
(30-26) as the teams battle for playoff position in the Eastern
Conference.
Indiana point guard George Hill played despite a sprained elbow and
was held to one point. Ellis was held to seven points on 2-of-17
shooting as the Pacers backcourt struggled.
[to top of second column] |
Indiana started quickly, leading 11-0 and then 16-2 before Heat
coach Erik Spoelstra benched center Amar'e Stoudemire and guard
Gerald Green.
The Heat responded with a 6-0 run but still trailed 25-15 after the
end of the first quarter. Miami shot just 27.8 percent in the
period, and Indiana made three baskets at the shot-clock buzzer.
Miami, though, closed the second quarter on an 11-0 run, cutting
Indiana's lead to 44-41 at halftime.
The Heat then took a 70-69 lead after a third quarter that featured
three lead changes.
(Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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