Andrew Nembhard scored a game-high 29 points to lead seven Indiana Pacers players in double figures as the team dominated from start to finish in a 123-99 victory over the Miami Heat on Saturday in Indianapolis.

Micah Potter contributed 14 points and Jarace Walker added 13, helping the Pacers establish control early and maintain a lead throughout the contest.

T.J. McConnell and Aaron Nesmith each scored 12 points, Pascal Siakam added 11, and Johnny Furphy chipped in 10 points, giving Indiana a balanced attack that proved too much for the Heat to counter.

The Pacers led by as many as 29 points, marking a decisive win for a team that had recently struggled, snapping a 13-game losing streak before this second straight win, providing a much-needed confidence boost for the squad.

The Heat struggled offensively, shooting only 39.1% from the field and a dismal 13.3% (4 of 30) from three-point range, continuing their shooting woes following a postponed game against the Chicago Bulls due to slick floor conditions at the United Center.

Miami was led by Tyler Herro with 21 points, Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 16, Bam Adebayo contributed 13, and Andrew Wiggins had 11, but the efforts were not enough to overcome Indiana’s balanced scoring and defensive pressure.

The loss marked Miami’s third defeat in four games, signaling an ongoing struggle for consistency, particularly as the team adjusts to the challenges of injuries and lineup changes throughout the season.

For the Pacers, the win snapped a seven-game home losing streak, and the team shot 44.9% from the field while connecting on an impressive 42.5% (17 of 40) from three-point range, a marked improvement from previous performances.

Indiana sprinted to a 28-10 lead in the opening quarter, demonstrating aggressive offensive execution and suffocating defensive intensity that limited Miami to just six field goals in the period.

The Pacers extended their advantage to 25 points before finishing the first quarter with a commanding 36-18 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the contest.

This 25-point lead was Indiana’s largest since November 28 against the Washington Wizards, highlighting the team’s ability to dominate when their offensive and defensive units are firing simultaneously.

In the second quarter, Walker and Potter hit back-to-back three-pointers, giving Indiana a 55-34 lead with 5:26 remaining, showcasing the Pacers’ perimeter shooting and spacing that Miami struggled to defend.

Miami missed its first 11 three-point attempts, with Norman Powell finally cutting the deficit to 61-45 at halftime, but the Heat still trailed by a significant margin.

The Pacers held Miami to 37% shooting in the first half, demonstrating disciplined defensive rotations and a strategy focused on limiting the Heat’s high-efficiency scorers, including Herro, who had 10 points in the first half.

Nembhard scored 16 of his 29 points in the first half, establishing himself as the focal point of Indiana’s offense and forcing Miami to adjust defensively without success.

Miami battled back in the third quarter, briefly narrowing the gap to 65-58 with 8:05 left, providing a glimmer of hope for a potential comeback.

However, Indiana responded with a 17-5 run, extending the lead to 82-63, with Potter hitting a pair of key three-pointers during the stretch that deflated the Heat’s momentum.

The Pacers outscored Miami 38-27 in the third quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach and carrying a commanding 99-72 lead into the fourth quarter.

Indiana maintained a double-digit lead throughout the final period, cruising to a comfortable victory that showcased their improved shooting, depth, and defensive execution.

For the Heat, the loss underscored ongoing issues, including inconsistent offense, poor perimeter shooting, and challenges integrating players returning from injury, such as Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The Pacers’ balanced scoring effort, featuring seven players in double digits, demonstrated the importance of team cohesion and bench contributions in overcoming a higher-profile opponent like Miami.

Indiana’s ability to connect on 42.5% of three-point attempts was particularly critical, allowing the team to stretch the floor and punish Miami’s defense, which struggled to rotate effectively against perimeter shooters.

The Heat will now need to regroup and address shooting inefficiency, defensive lapses, and overall consistency if they hope to stabilize their record and improve playoff positioning in the competitive Eastern Conference.

For Indiana, the victory is a confidence booster and an example of what the team can achieve when executing offensively and defensively with intensity, potentially serving as a springboard for improved performance in upcoming games.

Miami’s coaching staff, led by Erik Spoelstra, will have to assess rotations, playing time, and game strategies, particularly focusing on how to reintegrate Herro and Jaquez while improving team-wide effort and performance.

The game serves as a reminder that any team can be vulnerable if shooting struggles combine with defensive lapses, and Miami will need to address these factors in preparation for the remainder of the season.

Indiana, meanwhile, will aim to capitalize on momentum from back-to-back wins, continuing to improve both offensive efficiency and defensive execution as they look to climb out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.