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Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Nov 30, 2023 10:48 pm

Jimmy Butler steps up as Heat win shootout vs. Pacers

Jimmy Butler tied his season high with 36 points as the host Miami Heat rallied past the Indiana Pacers 142-132 on Thursday night.

Indiana lost despite a career-high 44 points from Tyrese Haliburton, who also had 10 assists, three steals, one block and just two turnovers. He shot 15 of 28 overall, 6 of 16 on 3-pointers and 8 of 12 on free throws.

Miami lost two-time All-Star center Bam Adebayo in the second quarter due to an aggravated hip injury. He entered the game leading Miami in scoring (23.3), rebounds (10.3) and blocks (1.1).

Butler drew a season-high 12 fouls and made 18 of 20 free throws. He also made 9 of 18 from the floor as the Heat snapped a three-game losing streak. Butler had missed two straight games due to an ankle injury.

Miami also got 24 points from rookie forward Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The Pacers, meanwhile, received impressive work from Obi Toppin, who scored 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting, hitting 3 of 7 3-pointers.

But Pacers starter Buddy Hield was held to 12 points on 5-for-16 shooting, including 2 of 11 on 3-pointers.

Heat starting forward Haywood Highsmith returned after missing one game due to a back injury. He had two points in 15 minutes.

However, the Heat played their 11th straight game without second-leading scorer Tyler Herro (22.9). He has an ankle injury.

Miami shot 53.5 percent in the first half but still trailed 73-64. That’s because Indiana shot 61.4 percent – including 43.8 percent on 3-pointers.

Haliburton played like an MVP in the first half, posting 28 points, four assists, two steals and just one turnover in 18 minutes. He shot 9 of 14 from the floor, 5 of 9 on 3-pointers and 5 of 7 on free throws.

Toppin also had a big half for the Pacers, scoring 12 points on 5-for-5 shooting, including two 3-pointers.

Miami, which had its worst defensive first half of the season in terms of points allowed, was led in the opening 24 minutes by Butler’s 12 points.

Butler was even better in the third quarter, scoring 16 points as Miami closed its deficit to 100-97. Haliburton was held to five points in the third.

Miami took its first lead of the game, 104-103, with 10:06 left in the fourth quarter. On the play, Josh Richardson dished to a cutting Jaquez for a layup.

The Heat stretched their lead to 16 points before Indiana made a charge, cutting its deficit to 136-130 on Haliburton’s layup with 27 seconds left. But the Pacers never got any closer.

For the game, Miami shot 56.5 percent, and Indiana shot 51.0 percent.

–Field Level Media

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