Indiana Pacers: 3 takeaways from the win over the Miami Heat

In their third game of the season, the Indiana Pacers finally tallied one in the win column, defeating the Miami Heat 102-91 in overtime on the second night of a back-to-back. This game was also the team’s home opener, with the newly named Gainbridge Fieldhouse welcoming back fans on full throttle for the first time in more than a year.

Despite being on tired legs after their OT loss the other night against the Wizards, the Pacers started and ended the game pretty well. While troubling themes persisted (more on that later), the Blue and Gold managed to come out victorious against a fortified Heat team that recently routed defending champs Milwaukee in their opener.

Indiana, unlike in their two previous losses, used a balanced scoring attack to thwart Miami, with five players finishing with double digits led by Chris Duarte‘s 19 points. and Oshae Brissett and Malcolm Brogdon both tallying 18 markers. On the flip side, Tyler Herro led the Heat with 30 points, while their All-Star duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo struggled offensively, combining for 36.

The Pacers once again trotted out an incomplete lineup, with Caris LeVert and TJ Warren still shelved and Myles Turner, after a sensational showing against Washington, went missing due to foul troubles. Meanwhile, the Heat missed the services of Kyle Lowry, their prized offseason acquisition.

With the Indiana Pacers having registered their first win of the 2021-22 NBA season, here are three takeaways from their impressive home opening victory against the Miami Heat.