In a dramatic finish on Thursday night, the Indiana Pacers finally snapped their agonising 13-game losing streak, defeating the Charlotte Hornets in a victory that also marked a major milestone for head coach Rick Carlisle. The win, sealed in the final minute, was the 1,000th regular-season victory of Carlisle's illustrious coaching career.
Historic Win Breaks Pacers' Losing Streak
The Pacers, who improved their season record to 7-31 with the win, were carried by a stellar performance from forward Pascal Siakam. He poured in 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the charge. Crucial support came from the bench, where T.J. McConnell erupted for a season-high 23 points and 8 assists. This collective effort allowed Indiana to cling to a narrow lead in the closing moments, providing a much-needed morale boost for the struggling franchise.
Focus Shifts to Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
With the joy of ending their prolonged slump, the Pacers now turn their attention to the next challenge: hosting the Miami Heat. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Fans can catch the action on Bally Sports Florida (FDSUN) and Bally Sports Indiana (FDSIN), with live streaming available via NBA League Pass and FuboTV.
The Heat, holding a 20-17 record, are coming into this game under unusual circumstances. Their scheduled Thursday matchup against the Chicago Bulls was postponed due to unsafe court conditions at the United Center. Condensation formed on the floor following an ice hockey game, exacerbated by an unseasonably warm day in Chicago.
Team Lineups and Injury Concerns
Both teams will be dealing with significant absences. The Pacers' injury list is particularly lengthy, sidelining key players. The expected starting lineup for Indiana includes Andrew Nembhard, Ben Sheppard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Jay Huff.
The Miami Heat are also missing a key piece. Their probable starters are Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, and Bam Adebayo.
Indiana Pacers Injury Report:
- Tyrese Haliburton - Out (Achilles)
- Bennedict Mathurin - Out (Thumb)
- Obi Toppin - Out (Underwent surgery)
- Isaiah Jackson - Out (Concussion)
- Andrew Nembhard - Day-to-day (Back)
Miami Heat Injury Report:
- Terry Rozier - Out (Placed on immediate leave)
Game Prediction and Key Stats
This matchup kicks off a four-game homestand for the Pacers, who will face the Boston Celtics next on Monday. Statistically, this game sets up well for three-point shooting against the Heat's defence. When Miami is on the road, opposing starting small forwards average the third-most three-point attempts per game (5.8) in the NBA this season.
However, history is against the Pacers. When bookmakers list Indiana as a heavy underdog with moneyline odds of +244 or worse this season, their record is a dismal 1-12, a mere 7.7% win rate. The implied probability from the moneyline for this contest gives the Pacers about a 29.1% chance of securing a second consecutive victory.
Miami's last game was a road outing against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. The Pacers will hope the momentum from ending their long skid and celebrating their coach's milestone can propel them to an upset against a playoff-contending Heat squad.
