Pacers beat the Heat 86-83
In the closest game so far, it was T.J. Leaf’s time to shine.
The UCLA product recorded a double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. He shot 9-for-17 from the field and led the team in scoring.
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The game was competitive from start to finish, with multiple lead changes and impressive performances from both sides. Despite being down by 11 just before halftime, the Pacers came back to seal the three-point victory.
Chris Johnson made one of two free throws to pull ahead 66-65 with eight minutes to go, and Indiana held the lead until the final buzzer.
The Pacers withstood a dynamic performance from Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo, who scored 29 points and collected 11 rebounds. Adebayo was selected 14th by the Heat in the 2017 draft.
Joe Young had his highest scoring game of the tournament so far, scoring 17 points and racking up six assists. His four turnovers weren’t ideal, but we can chalk part of that up to how much time he spent with the ball in his hands.
With this victory, the Pacers were the leaders in the clubhouse at 3-0. They would take on the only other undefeated team, the Dallas Mavericks, the next day.