Heat Beat Pacers 105-91 For 18th Straight Win
The Miami Heat beat the Indiana Pacers 105-91 Sunday to win their 18th straight game this season. LeBron James scored just 13 points in the game as Mario Chalmers and Chris bosh picked up the pace for the Heat.
Mario Chalmers led all scorers with 26 points and seven rebounds. Chris Bosh finished with 24 points, and Ray Allen added 11 points off the bench.
Dwyane Wade and LeBron James are usually the center of attention when Miami takes the court, but not Sunday. Dwyane Wade finished with 23 points, two rebounds, and three assists while James added six rebounds and seven assists to go along with his 13 points.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra liked his team’s response to a tough Pacers defense early in the game and was excited about the win. Spoelstra recognized the 18-game win streak during a press conference after the game, but focused more on LeBron James’ supporting cast.
“We feel that we have the depth,” Spoelstra said about his team after the game. “It helps our versatility and we’re able to manage the minutes like we’ve been doing.”
The Indiana Pacers have been the best team in the Central Division all year but were unable to stick with the defending NBA Champions Sunday night. The Pacers were led by David West, who finished with 24 points and five rebounds in the loss.
Pacers star Paul George was just 2-for-11 from the field with 10 points, five assists, and six rebounds. George also turned the ball over five times, more than any other player on the court Sunday.
Roy Hibbert shot 50 percent from the field and added 16 points in the losing effort. Guard D.J. Augustin was the only other Pacers’ player to score in double figures, finishing with 14 points off the bench.
The Indiana Pacers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday before a match up with the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. The Miami Heat play again at home Tuesday against the Atlanta hawks who have lost two straight games. The Heat follow up Tuesday’s game with a contest against the 76ers in Philadelphia Wednesday.
The Miami Heat are without a doubt the hottest team in the NBA right now and will more than likely lock up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs in early April. The Heat beat the Pacers and continue to roll on, looking for another win Tuesday to match the fifth-longest winning streak in NBA history.
