Heat beats Indiana as teams deliver more chippiness in historically heated rivalry
Before Wednesday’s game, Erik Spoelstra spoke of the Heat being a “mediocre” road team. A few seconds later, he took it a step further, claiming his team actually “stinks” on the road.
Harsh? Not really, considering Miami had lost to sub.-500 teams Memphis, Washington and Orlando on the road in the past 16 days. And that’s why Wednesday’s 122-108 Heat road win against a good Indiana team was so meaningful.
Miami led 62-49 at the half, stretched the margin to 100-72 after three and ended the night alone in second in the East, with the NBA’s third-best record at 27-10 and a 10-9 mark on the road. The Heat shot 53 percent and 16 for 38 on threes.
Bam Adebayo set the tone early, outplaying Myles Turner and finishing with 18 points (8 for 11 shooting) and 9 rebounds. He got plenty of help from Jimmy Butler (14 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds), Duncan Robinson (17 points), Kendrick Nunn (15 points), Derrick Jones Jr. (18), Goran Dragic (15) and Tyler Herro (19).
And what would Heat-Pacers be without a little chippiness? Wednesday’s game featured a five-minute Butler/TJ Warren sideshow which ended with Warren being ejected.
The theatrics began when Warren forcefully grabbed Butler’s arm on a drive to the basket midway through the third quarter. Butler took issue with that, and the two had to be separated. As they were pulled away by teammates, Butler and Warren vociferously yelled and gesticulated toward each other for at least 10 seconds, with both assessed technical fouls.
On the ensuing Heat possession just seven seconds later, Butler was called for an offensive foul against Warren, and Warren then clapped in Butler’s face, earning Warren a second technical and an ejection. Butler bid Warren farewell with a mocking kiss motion and Warren then served up an obscene gesture.
Meanwhile, Justise Winslow returned after missing 15 games with a back injury and went scoreless in 15 minutes.
The Pacers played without point guard Malcolm Brogdon and All-Star guard Victor Oladipo, who hopes to make his season debut Jan. 29 after a long recovery from a quad tendon injury.
