Despite an incredible performance from Paul George, the Indiana Pacers would fall to the Miami Heat 103-100 in overtime. Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade would spur the Miami comeback and lead them to an overtime victory at home.

Indiana Jumps Out Early On The Road

The Pacers jumped out to a hot start and led 15-3 early in the game, 13 of those 15 points came from Paul George or C.J. Miles. Miles would end up leaving the game in the first quarter with a right shoulder injury and never return. Already without George Hill, the Pacers were down two starters. Indiana would lead Miami 29-19 after the first quarter.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

However, the Heat would start to get stops on defense and cut into the double digit lead by Indiana, going into halftime down 47-44. The Pacers would come out after halftime and jump on the Heat, going on a 23-8 run to extend their lead to 18 points.

Miami Stays With It, Makes A Huge Run

Miami is a veteran club and they weren't fazed when they got down by 18 points. Instead, they would end the third quarter on a 12-4 run to cut the lead to 74-66 entering the fourth. The Heat would continue their hot stretch and go on a 13-7 run to start the final quarter of regulation, making it a 81-79 ball game.

The game would go back and forth throughout the majority of the fourth quarter, but with 3:11 remaining in the game Chris Bosh would give the Heat their first lead at 88-87 on a technical free throw, as Pacers head coach Frank Vogel would lose it for a minute and receive a technical foul.

Dwyane Wade Is Still "The Man" 

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Indiana would lead Miami 95-93 after Rodney Stuckey hit one of his two free throws with 2.7 second remaining. Dwyane Wade would take the inbounds pass and slash the basket, finishing with a left-handed layup to tie the game as the buzzer sounded.

With the Heat up one, 99-98, Wade would do it again. With 1:32 remaining in the overtime period, Wade would come off a screen, drive to the basket and finish with the left once again, while drawing the foul.

After the missed free throw, Monta Ellis would respond with a tough baseline jumper, plus the foul. Ellis would miss the free throw keeping it a one point deficit.

After the Pacers couldn't grab a rebound in the final seconds they finally got the ball with a little over three seconds left. Stuckey threw the ball into George and his corner three-pointer was too strong and the Pacers took their 15th loss of the season.

This game was given to the Heat. The Pacers blew an 18 point lead and had many opportunities to win the game but didn't capitalize. This will be one of those games the Pacers will look back and know they should've won. Indiana couldn't hit free throws or make the necessary plays down the stretch to close out this game in a hostile environment.

Top Performers

Paul George continued to play well after breaking out of his slump on New Year’s Eve. He recorded his third straight 30 point game. Finishing with 32 points, seven rebounds, and two steals on 12-of-29 shooting. Ellis almost notched a double-double but came up one assist short. He had 17 points, nine assists, and three rebounds on 8-of-17 shooting. Ian Mahinmi played 32 minutes and also almost recorded a double-double, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, and one block.

The two Miami Heat super stars, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, both destroyed the Pacers. Wade started off hot and was clutch down the stretch, finishing with 27 points on 9-of-22 shooting. Chris Bosh recorded a double-double in the win. In 41 minutes, Bosh scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds on 8-of-20 shooting from the field. Goran Dragic was the only other Miami player in double figures with 13 points.

Up Next

Indiana will continue their road trip with the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Miami will host the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

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About the author
Alan Squier
Indiana Pacers & Philadelphia Eagles fan.