Can’t Handle the Heat: Pacers vs. Heat Game One (August 18, 2020)
The Indiana Pacers took on the Miami heat in game one of their much anticipated first round matchup. The series is highlighted by the brewing rivalry between Jimmy Butler (28 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast, 4 stl, 2 blk) and the story of the bubble, TJ Warren (22 pts, 8 rebs, 3 ast, 4 stl).
Right out of the gates it was obvious that this was going to be a tightly contested game. Both teams were playing with great energy and great defense. They were constantly going at each other on the drive and with some very efficient three point shooting. The first quarter was very close up until the end where the Pacers started pushing just a little harder than Miami.
Indiana’s defense picked up the pace in the closing minutes of the first and it helped fuel their offense. Warren came alive a little bit and helped show why he was in the conversation for Bubble MVP. When these two saw each other in the bubble during the seeding games, Butler was able to contain Warren and hold him to only 12 points. Well in this one, Warren had nine points in the first quarter alone.
Despite this small surge by the Pacers, the Heat were never out of the game. Both teams continued to battle back and forth throughout the second quarter, with neither team really emerging as a clear favorite. A defensive identity was shining through for both squads.
Both teams had some serious help from their bench in the second, too. For Miami it was Tyler Herro (15 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast), Kelly Olynyk (5 pts), and Andre Iguodala (4 pts) helping out. Herro was doing a really good job of scoring the ball for the Heat, Olynyk was making shots, and Iguodala turned back the clock for a couple energizing dunks.
As for the Pacers, JaKarr Sapmson (10 pts, 3 reb) gave Nate McMillan some very good minutes in the second. He put up six points and three rebounds in an eight minute stretch for Indiana. Then there was Justin Holiday (11 pts, 3 reb) who along with his usual defensive help and intensity, had nine of his points in the first half. Some solid production from an Indiana bench that’s been struggling with injuries all season.
Malcolm Brogdon (22 pts, 10 ast) led the Pacers in scoring at the half, and Butler and Bam Adebayo (17 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast, 3 blk) were super good for the Heat in the first half, too. However the overall consensus at halftime was that this was going to be one hell of a game. No room for error on either side.
As the second half got going, it was more of the same. Back and forth play but this time the Heat looked to be just half a step ahead. That being said, it still remained a very close game throughout.
One guy who I was seriously impressed with was Myles Turner (9 pts, 9 reb, 3 blk). I know he’s known for his defense, but it was really on display in the third. Adebayo is an All-NBA caliber player and there were a few times when he went up for a shot at the rim in the third but Turner was right there to greet him. It was a great showing for the young Pacers center.
As Miami began to pull away from Indiana midway through the third, it was the inability to get open looks that killed the Pacers. Whether it was Miami playing solid defense or Indiana having sloppy possessions, the Heat had a 10 point lead at one point in the third quarter. It wasn’t until a run from Bubble Jesus that Indiana was able to regain their composure.
While both teams are very close in talent, there is one major difference between the two. From an overall perspective, the Heat are a young, fast paced, three point shooting team. Then when you look at Indiana, it’s a lot of veteran guys who are normally looked at as role players that just play really smart, very fundamental basketball. Both playstyles are effective, and both were very evident in this one.
The story of the fourth, at least for Indiana, was all about the role players. TJ McConnell (5 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast), J. Holiday, and Sampson were all on their A-game. Their production along with some solid defense from the entire Pacers squad kept this game close throughout the beginning of the fourth.
Despite this solid performance, the Heat were playing great basketball in the fourth as well. Goran Dragic (24 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast) and Herro stepped up and showed why the Heat have some of the most depth in the NBA. Dragic got the start over Kendrick Nunn (DNP) in this one, but usually he and Herro come off the bench together. Their chemistry was very evident in the fourth, and a big reason why the Heat were able to grow their lead ever so slightly.
Right alongside them was Butler, who helped solidify Miami’s victory in this game. He hit a couple huge threes in the final few minutes of the game, and they really acted as the daggers to finish off Indiana. Take into consideration a couple more drives in the final minute, and Butler proved that he’s the real deal when it comes to being a leader.
All the credit in the world has to go to the short-handed Pacers who ended up losing Victor Oladipo (8 mins, 4 pts) early on in this game, as well. In the end, though, the depth and heart of the Miami Heat was just too much for them to deal with.
The Heat took a 1-0 lead on the Pacers in this one, but the series is far from over. Tune in on Thursday, August 20th at 1:00 PM EST for game two.
