Pacers vs Heat Picks and Prediction – 1/3/2025

The Thursday NBA schedule will tip off with a matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat from the Kaseya Center. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions. The Pacers (16-18) are four games below .500 on the road and are sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings. On Tuesday, Indiana was unable to protect an 11-point halftime lead during a 120-112 home loss versus Milwaukee. 

Benedict Mathurin led six Indiana players in double figures with 25 points on 10-for-18 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds. Pascal Siakam scored 20 points to go along with seven rebounds and four assists. Myles Turner added 16 points and ten boards for the Pacers. 

The Miami Heat have won ten of their first 15 home games and are tied with Milwaukee for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat (17-14) rank tenth in the league in defensive efficiency and are allowing 108.7 points per game. Last night, Miami assisted on 33 of 44 field goals and shot 53 percent overall during a 119-108 home victory versus lowly New Orleans. 

Miami G Tyler Herro tallied a team-high 32 points on 11-for-22 from the field. All-Star C Bam Adebayo contributed 23 points, ten assists, and nine rebounds. Duncan Robinson added 17 points and four boards for the Heat. 

Indiana F Aaron Nesmith is still recovering from an ankle injury and hopes to return to action sometime next week. Indiana is the better offensive team and has a slight edge on the glass. With the Heat playing on consecutive nights, take the Pacers to win on the road. Final Score Prediction, Indiana Pacers win 116-111.