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"A shootout for three quarters, both teams scoring the ball, making highlight plays ... and scoring with relative ease," Spoelstra said. "Finally we made a stand in the fourth quarter."
Darren Collison scored 15 points, Josh McRoberts added 12 and Jones scored 11 for Indiana, which was trying to join Boston and Dallas as teams that beat Miami twice this season.
The Heat spoke both Monday and pregame Tuesday about wanting to avenge a 93-77 home loss to the Pacers on Nov. 22. It easily was their worst home defeat of the season -- considering the 16-point margin in that game exceeded the 13-point margin of their other four losses in Miami combined.
Words didn't translate into play. At least, not for much of the night, they didn't.
With James on the court in the opening two quarters, Miami outscored Indiana by 11. Without him, the Heat were outscored by 14 -- and it happened quickly.
James only got one break in the opening half, a 3-minute, 35-second rest at the start of the second quarter. And Indiana outscored Miami 18-4 in that stretch to turn a 33-29 deficit into a 45-37 lead by the time James came back into the game.
It took until 4:34 remained in the fourth for Miami to get back on top, coming when Erick Dampier slammed in the rebound of a miss by Wade for a 106-105 edge -- the first Heat lead since the opening 2 minutes of the second quarter.
The Pacers didn't lead again.
"If we want greatness, greatness is consistency," Spoelstra said. "And we're not there yet."
NOTES: Pacers President Larry Bird was in attendance, and shook hands with a few fans. Tuesday marked the 25th anniversary of his victory at the inaugural 3-point shootout, now a staple of All-Star weekend. ... Miller gave referee David Jones a frustrated look after the veteran official nearly ran in the way of a pass coming his way with 5:20 remaining. ... Pacers guard Brandon Rush (ankle) was active, but did not play. Rush hasn't played since Jan. 26.
[Associated Press;
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