Giannis has triple-double, Heat open NBA Cup play with 145-125 win over Pacers
MIAMI (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points and had his second triple-double of the season, Bam Adebayo added 27 points and the Miami Heat opened NBA Cup play by beating the short-handed Indiana Pacers 145-125 on Friday night.Antetokounmpo finished with 17 rebounds and 10 assists in 31 minutes as the Heat won their second straight.
In a thrilling opener for the NBA Cup play, the Miami Heat dispatched the short-handed Indiana Pacers 145-125 on Friday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for the Heat with 31 points, including a remarkable second triple-double of the season. He recorded 17 rebounds and 10 assists in 31 minutes. Bam Adebayo contributed 27 points for Miami, sinking 11 of 14 shots. The Heat outscored the Pacers 67-46 in the middle two quarters of the game.
Klay Thompson delivered an impressive performance for the Heat, netting 25 points and seven 3-pointers. He now stands just 55 points shy of matching former Heat guard Ray Allen's all-time record of 2,973 three-pointers. Quenton Jackson chipped in with 24 points, while Andrew Nembhard added 22 for Indiana. The Pacers were down to just 11 players due to Tyrese Haliburton's hamstring injury and Obi Toppin's back issue.
Indiana powered the scoreboard early, scoring 42 points in the first quarter and a combined 46 points in the next two quarters. However, the Heat bounced back with 18 points from Pelle Larsson and 15 points from Davion Mitchell, who also had a 11-assist game. The loss leaves the Pacers facing a challenging path to advance past group play in the NBA Cup tournament. They will next take on Brooklyn on Sunday, while the Heat welcome the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.
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