In a crucial NBA game, the Indiana Pacers edged out the Miami Heat with a final score of 117-115, significantly impacting the playoff landscape. At halftime, the Pacers led 63-46, extending their lead by as much as 22 points during the game. Myles Turner and T.J. McConnell were pivotal for the Pacers, each contributing 22 points, with Turner also grabbing 13 rebounds. The Heat struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 5 of 20 on threes. This victory clinched the season series tiebreaker over the Heat 2-1 and positioned the Pacers favorably in the race for the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference, leading Miami and Philadelphia by one in the loss column. The Pacers' magic number for securing the 6th seed is now two. The Heat, down by 17 at half and 15 with 10:27 to play, now faces the likelihood of participating in the play-in tournament, especially after their loss in Indianapolis and the 76ers' recent win in San Antonio.
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IF the Sixers win out: You need the Pacers to lose two of their last three games to get the 6 seed, and avoid the play-in. You need the Heat to lose one of their last four games to get the 7 seed, and have home court advantage for the play-in. https://t.co/Zd7iw7ZyKX
Pacers edge Heat in crucial game #IndianaPacers #MiamiHeat https://t.co/5b9fTV0MM7
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Sixers escape with a win in San Antonio, and move into seventh in the Eastern Conference, and now go home for their three final games riding a five-game winning streak and still having a shot to get out of the play-in.
Myles Turner finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, T.J. McConnell added 22 points, and the Indiana Pacers hung on to strengthen their playoff prospects with a 117-115 victory over the #MiamiHeat. https://t.co/P5KLNwXzRV
Takeaways from the Heat’s costly loss to Pacers, as play-in tournament now looms likely https://t.co/MrKhfemkdi
Heat will fall to 8th if 76ers - up 7 after quarter in San Antonio - wins tonight. 76ers with easy schedule. Pacers go 1.5 up over Heat and wins tiebreaker. Season ends week from today; 7-8 play-in would be week from Tuesday.
Pacers clinch season series tiebreaker over Miami Heat 2-1. They also clinch three-way tiebreaker over Heat and Sixers. Indiana leads Miami and Philly by one in the loss column with tiebreaker over both with three games to go. Pacers magic number for the 6th seed is two.
T.J. McConnell up to 22 points off the Pacers bench. Heat down by 15 with 10:27 to play.
End of third quarter: Pacers 91, Heat 78. Six Pacers players already with double-digit points. Heat shooting 5 of 20 on threes.
Heat down by 17 at half in most important game of year. Disappointing. If this holds, play-in likely, though not definite. One path to avoid play in, with loss tonight, would be Heat strong close/ Magic collapse (Orlando has Bucks twice, at Houston, at 76ers, and Bulls tonight).
Halftime: Pacers 63, Heat 46. Pacers have led by as many as 22 points. Heat shooting 2 of 16 on threes. Pacers also outscoring the Heat 32-20 in the paint. No bueno.