Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers Game 2 Predictions, Odds & Picks

• The Miami Heat stole the game late from the Indiana Pacers, who trailed by just one entering the fourth quarter.
• Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. Warren led the Pacers in Game 1 with 22 points each.
• The Heat bench shot just three of 11 in from deep in Game 1.

Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers Odds

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Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers Predictions and Picks

The Heat played the Pacers tough for 48 minutes, but it was still a tight game. These two teams aren’t as far apart as they look. With Oladipo likely to be back for Game 2, the Pacers might just have the offensive punch to bring the series level.

Picks:

Indiana Pacers def. Miami Heat +150

Indiana +4 -109

Total Under 215 -112

How to Watch Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat

Head-to-Head: Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat

Indiana Needs to Execute

The Pacers have a much smaller margin for error than the Heat has. Domantas Sabonis won’t see the court until next season and Victor Oladipo exited the game after just eight-and-a-half minutes of play.

They performed admirably with Brogdon and Warren leading them, combining for 44 points in the evening, but it wasn’t enough late in the game. All credit to the Pacers, they played rather efficiently and received good contributions from their bench, but their top players faded when it mattered.

Brogdon was a dismal one of six from three, while Turner shot just four of 11 from the field and posted a team-low minus-19. They were a lot closer than the scoreline suggests, but against a team like the Heat, Indiana‘s best must perform.

Miami Have the Advantage in the Clutch

The Heat was able to take a late victory from the Indiana Pacers to claim a 113-101 win in Game 1 of their first-round series. Despite leading by just one point to begin the fourth quarter, the Heat went on a 16-6 run that the Pacers were never able to recover from.

While many questioned where Miami’s late scoring would come from, veterans Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic supported them. The pair combined for 24 points in the fourth quarter alone, stifling the upstart Pacers’ comeback attempts.

Miami’s combination of veteran leadership and youthful energy looked promising after their Game 1 performance. While Indiana is sure to be even more aggressive in Game 2, the Heat will have the decided advantage in the clutch.

Pacers Key Player: (G) Justin Holiday

Justin Holiday got ‘em on that shot ? pic.twitter.com/EXp2N7xp5H

— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 12, 2020

Justin Holiday was a surprise for the Pacers in Game 1. Leading the team in minutes off the bench, 31:40 to be exact, Holiday was an absolute sniper from the field.

Holiday scored 11 points on a perfect shooting night from three, even going three-of-three from deep.

With a lack of scoring on the court, the Pacers could do more to get Holiday open looks. While Oladipo’s lack of presence in Game 1 has a great deal to do with that, giving one of their best shooters more opportunities to score can only aid the offensively-weak Pacers.

Heat Key Player: (C) Bam Adebayo

BAM, don’t jump Oladipo pic.twitter.com/zWnAAvKKFV

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) August 11, 2020

Adebayo didn’t show any signs of the jitters when he returned to the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2018. The first-time All-Star looked fantastic, posting a near triple-double in Game 1.

Adebayo is a great all-around player, but it is his playmaking and defensive abilities that shine through when he is on the court. Not only did he lead his team in rebounding, but he also led the Heat in assists with six from the center position.

His matchup with Turner in this series is crucial for the Heat’s success. Defensively he can keep up with Turner all over the court, but on the offensive end, Adebayo doesn’t have to be a scorer to be effective. A team-leading +23 in Game 1, Adebayo can impact the game on the glass or as the team’s primary playmaker.