Heat vs Pacers Picks and Prediction – 11/16/2024

The Friday NBA schedule will tip off with a matchup between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers from Gainbridge Fieldhouse. For other NBA action see our NBA Predictions. The Heat (4-6) have split their first six road games and are averaging 110.2 points per contest. On Tuesday, Miami made several uncharacteristic miscues during a 123-121 overtime loss at Detroit. 

Miami G Tyler Herro erupted for a game-high 40 points on 14-for-27 shooting and dished out eight assists. All-Star C Bam Adebayo added 20 points (8-13 FG) and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who shot 47 percent from the field. 

The Indiana Pacers have won three of their first four home games and are tied with New York for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Pacers (5-6) need to improve a defense that ranks near the bottom of the league in efficiency and is giving up 116.5 points per game. On Wednesday, Indiana was outscored by eight points during the fourth quarter of a 94-90 road loss against Orlando. 

Indiana F Pascal Siakam tallied a team-high 25 points on 8-for-11 shooting and pulled down seven boards. Bennedict Mathurin scored 23 points on 7-for-17 from the floor and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Pacers missed 20 of 30 three-point attempts and shot an ice cold 38 percent overall.

Indiana will remain without starters Andrew Nembhard (knee) and Aaron Nesmith (ankle) until the beginning of next month. The Heat appear to be a team on the decline and crumbled down the stretch last time out. Take the Pacers to win and cover at home. Final Score Prediction, Indiana Pacers win 119-112.