Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers 8/20/20 - NBA Picks & Predictions

The Thursday NBA Playoff schedule will tip-off with a matchup between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers from the Walt Disney World Resort. In the series opener, fifth-seeded Miami outscored Indiana by 11 points during the fourth quarter of a 113-101 victory. The Heat connected on 13-for-35 from the three-point line and shot 49 percent overall.

All-Star G Jimmy Butler took over down the stretch and finished with a game-high 28 points on 8-for-15 from the floor. Bam Adebayo contributed 17 points, ten rebounds, and six assists for the Heat.

The Indiana Pacers are one of the most underrated teams in the league and are having to play without All-Star C Domantas Sabonis (foot) for this series. On Monday, Indiana lost G Victor Oladipo for the game when he was poked in the eye going for a rebound. The Pacers led by six points after one quarter and shot 47 percent from the field in defeat.

T.J. Warren and Malcolm Brogdon led Indiana with 22 points each on a combined 15-for-36 shooting performance. Myles Turner added nine points and nine rebounds in a losing effort for the Pacers.