Heat bury Pacers in 3-0 hole

The Miami Heat pushed the Indiana Pacers to the brink of elimination, withstanding a furious rally for a 124-115 victory on Saturday, August 22 (Sunday, August 23, Manila time).

Jimmy Butler scored 27 points for the Heat, Goran Dragic finished with 24, including 5 baskets from beyond the arc, and Bam Adebayo had 22 points and 11 rebounds as Miami took a commanding 3-0 series lead in their Eastern Conference playoff series.

Miami outplayed Indiana at both ends of the floor and its defense has been especially suffocating all series long.

The Heat forced several turnovers down the stretch to prevent the Pacers from leveling the score.

Miami led by 20 in the first half and by as many as 18 in the 3rd quarter, but Indiana pulled within 2 points twice in the final period.

But after the Pacers made it a one-basket game with 4 minutes remaining, the Heat closed with a 13-6 scoring run to clinch the victory.

Malcolm Brogdon finished with 34 points and 14 assists, while Myles Turner tallied 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers, who lost Victor Oladipo late in the game when he fouled out after scoring 20 points. – Rappler.com