NBA Cup: Heat beat Pacers 145-125 behind Giannis triple-double

The NBA Cup group stage began on Friday night in Miami, where the home team defeated the Indiana Pacers 145-125. The result gave the Heat their second consecutive victory in the tournament.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Heat with 31 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists in 31 minutes. This was his second triple-double of the season. Bam Adebayo contributed 27 points, shooting 11 of 14 from the floor. Klay Thompson added 25 points and seven three-pointers, his best performance since joining the roster.

The Heat controlled the game in the middle portions. Miami outscored Indiana 67-46 in the second and third quarters combined. Pelle Larsson scored 18 points for the Heat, while Davion Mitchell recorded 15 points and 11 assists.

Indiana played with a reduced roster of 11 available players. Tyrese Haliburton is sidelined for at least two weeks with a hamstring strain. Obi Toppin left before shootaround on Friday morning with a back issue, according to acting coach Lloyd Pierce. Pierce filled in for head coach Rick Carlisle, who was attending his father's funeral in Ogdensburg, New York.

Quenton Jackson scored 24 points for the Pacers, and Andrew Nembhard added 22. Jarace Walker provided 14 points, while Pascal Siakam and Jay Huff each scored 13. The Pacers started strong, scoring 42 points in the first quarter, but managed only 46 points in the next two quarters combined.

The loss places the Pacers in a difficult position for the group stage. In the fourth year of the NBA Cup, every team that has advanced to the knockout round has finished the opening round with a record of either 4-0 or 3-1. The Pacers will host the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. The Heat will travel to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.