Last Updated: Feb. 22 at 12:30 PM
Matchup
Sweeping their way out of the All-Star break with all three games on the road wouldn't be a bad way to kick off the season's final stretch of games. Standing in the Pacers' way, however, is a familiar foe: the Miami Heat.
Before the All-Star break began, several of the Pacers talked about needing to play better on the road — where Indiana has struggled this season — and executing in late-game situations with more consistency. Just two games removed from the break, the Pacers have done both, collecting two road wins, both of which came down to the wire.
From a jaw-dropping final two-minute flurry of points against the Thunder on Friday night, to an eek-it-out victory over the young Magic on Sunday, Indiana has slammed the door in late-game situations twice to kick off the final slate of games.
In both of those contests, the Pacers' leading scorer has been Monta Ellis. The offseason acquisition dropped 27 against the Thunder, including a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute. Ellis, who was slowed by knee soreness earlier this season, looks to have his groove back. The veteran scorer has been zipping past opposing defenses in the open floor, and has shot it well from behind the arc.
Also notable during both of the Pacers' wins was the play of Ian Mahinmi. The veteran center followed up a 19-point, 11-rebound performance on Friday with a 14-point, nine-rebound showing on Sunday in which he went a perfect 6-of-6 from the field.
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Indiana's fitness will be put to the test on Monday, however, as they face a Heat team with a full day's rest compared to the Pacers, who just played the night before. Indiana is 0-5 this season when playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road.
The Heat have nabbed a pair of impressive wins out of the break as well, despite a rash of injuries that have hit some of its key players.
Neither Chris Bosh nor Dwyane Wade have played since the break, but the team has won both of its games, scoring 114 points or more in both contests. That is uncharacteristic for the Heat, who score the second-fewest points per game in the NBA.
Monday's game has some notable implications for both teams as well. A Pacers win would give the two teams identical records, and the Pacers would notch the 3-1 season-series tiebreaker over the Heat.
Projected Starters
George Hill
Monta Ellis
Paul George
Myles Turner
Ian Mahinmi
Goran Dragic
Dwyane Wade
Justise Winslow
Luol Deng
Amar'e Stoudemire
Pacers: PG - George Hill, SG - Monta Ellis, SF - Paul George, PF - Myles Turner, C - Ian Mahinmi
Heat: PG - Goran Dragic, SG - Dwyane Wade, SF - Justise Winslow, PF - Luol Deng, C - Amar'e Stoudemire
Injury Report
Pacers: Rodney Stuckey - out (right foot sprain and bone bruise), C.J. Miles - doubtful (strained left calf), George Hill - questionable (right elbow sprain)
Heat: Chris Bosh - out, Tyler Johnson - out (left shoulder surgery), Dwyane Wade - questionable (sore left knee)
Last Meeting
January 4, 2016: Despite leading the Heat by as many as 18 points, Miami battled back to beat the Pacers 103-100 in a dramatic overtime loss.
Taking a slight advantage into the second half, the Pacers broke off an impressive 23-8 run at AmericanAirlines Arena, giving the impression that the game might be over.
However, Miami answered right back, outscoring the Pacers 43-25 for the remaining of regulation, knotting up the game to set up the overtime period.
"We definitely missed our key players and big players," Paul George said. "We still had enough to win this one. I thought they slowed the game down with the free-throws. It was hard for us to get going."
In overtime, Ian Mahinmi had a chance to give the Pacers a lead when he was at the free throw line, trailing 101-100. Unfortunately, he missed both of the attempts, which was followed by Miami picking up a foul on the other end and shooting free throws to put the contest out of reach.
Noteworthy
- Monday night's meeting will be the fourth and final regular season meeting between the two teams. Indiana currently holds a 2-1 edge.
- The Heat have won eight of their last nine games against the Pacers in Miami.
- Miami scores the second-fewest points per game as a team. The Pacers score the 12th-most in the league.
Broadcast Information TV & Radio Listings »
TV:FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Pat Boylan (studio host)
Tickets
The Pacers return home on Wednesday, Feb. 24 to host the Knicks at 7:00 PM in a Hickory Night Game. Find Tickets »
Away Game Night Special
Select Hats - $10. Game Night Specials can be purchased online the day of each away game from 10:00 AM - Midnight. Order Online »