Miami has won two straight after an 0-4 start, and Friday's 145-125 win over Indiana was its most complete night yet. The defense still leaked 125 points to a team missing Tyrese Haliburton and Ivica Zubac, and that has to be fixed before the Lakers.
Two Straight, Finally
Giannis Antetokounmpo put up his second triple-double in three games against Indiana: 31 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists. He shot 13-19 from the floor and finished +31. Bam Adebayo went 11-14 for 27 with three steals. At 2-4, Miami climbed to 10th, one game behind Atlanta for sixth.
Thompson Answers
All U Can Heat wrote this week that Spoelstra may be 'running out of reasons to trust' Klay Thompson. His answer was 25 points in 26 minutes and 7-12 from deep. Davion Mitchell ran the offense cleanly with 11 assists and a team-best +32. One night does not settle it, but it was the right response.
The Leak
Indiana dropped 42 in the first quarter on a short-handed roster. Quenton Jackson, a reserve, scored 24 on 9-13 shooting. Bobby Portis Jr. was -11 in 17 minutes, and Miami's second unit produced 28 points in total. Miami tightened up after that, holding Indiana to 19 in the second quarter and pulling ahead with a 16-0 run, but a 42-point quarter against a depleted roster should not happen.
West Swing
After three days off, the trip starts November 2 at the Lakers, then the Clippers on November 4, Golden State on November 5 and Sacramento on November 8. At the current pace Miami finishes 27-55. Simone Fontecchio was cleared on October 30, so Spoelstra has no excuse to shorten his rotation.
Bottom Line
Beating a team missing five players proves nothing. Miami has to prove it can get stops against a healthy roster. If the defense gives up 125 at Crypto-level opponents in Los Angeles, the two-game streak won't mean much.
Who led the Heat in the 145-125 win over the Pacers?
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double with 31 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists. Bam Adebayo added 27 and Klay Thompson 25.
When do the Heat play next?
Miami plays at the Lakers on November 2. That game starts a road stretch that also includes the Clippers, Warriors and Kings.
