The Heat host Indiana on Friday in an Emirates NBA Cup game, and the Pacers are short on guards. Simone Fontecchio has been upgraded and could return, and the defense has to prove the Atlanta win was not a one-off.
Fontecchio Upgraded
Simone Fontecchio's illness has eased. He was upgraded from out on Oct. 29, with an estimated return of Oct. 30. Miami needs his scoring. Over his last 10 games he has posted 70.8% true shooting, the cleanest scoring off the bench, though the sample is small.
Indiana Arrives Thin
The Pacers are 2-3 and have lost two in a row. Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Johnny Furphy and Ben Sheppard are out. Andrew Nembhard has a neck issue and Aaron Nesmith a hamstring, and both are listed. Rick Carlisle will lean on Pascal Siakam, who is scoring 24.0 a night, and Obi Toppin. Miami has no excuse to let a depleted backcourt control the game.
Fix the Defense
One win does not erase a 116.8 defensive rating or a -8.4 net rating. At this pace Miami projects to 16-66. The Heat are 14th, one game behind Indiana for 10th, so this is a direct swap in the standings. Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 24 points and 18 rebounds in Atlanta. The effort at the other end has to match his.
Then the West
After tonight Miami is off until Nov. 2 at the Lakers, then the Clippers on Nov. 4 and the Warriors on Nov. 5. The open question: the Miami Herald's Anthony Chiang reported that the Heat went back to pick-and-roll in Atlanta. Does Erik Spoelstra stay with it against a shorthanded Indiana, or was it a one-night wrinkle?
Bottom Line
Home floor, a banged-up opponent, Cup stakes. Win it, or Atlanta was a blip.
When do the Heat play the Pacers?
Friday, Oct. 30, in Miami, in an Emirates NBA Cup game.
Will Simone Fontecchio play against the Pacers?
He was upgraded from out on Oct. 29 with an estimated return of Oct. 30, so he is trending toward a return. His final status had not been set.
