With sixth place at stake in the Eastern Conference, backup point guard T.J. McConnell posted 22 points and five assists as the host Indiana Pacers defeated the Miami Heat 117-115 on Sunday night in Indianapolis.
Myles Turner added 22 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana, which got off to a hot start and held off a late Miami rally.
Pacers starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who started the day leading the NBA in assists (11.0), had a quiet game. He had 12 points and eight assists.
But McConnell filled the void, making 11 of 14 shots. It was yet another gritty performance for an undersized player (6-1) who was undrafted and yet is in his ninth year in the league.
With the win, Indiana (45-34) extended its lead over Miami (43-35) to 1 1/2 games.
The top six teams in each conference are guaranteed playoff berths. Teams seven through 10 will compete in the play-in round.
Miami was led by Jimmy Butler, who had a game-high 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Bam Adebayo added 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Indiana, thanks to 66.7-percent shooting, led 38-24 at the end of the first quarter. The Heat shot just 39.1 percent, including 0-for-7 on 3-pointers.
Miami trailed by as many 22 points in the second quarter before trimming its deficit to 63-46 at halftime.
The Heat shot just 2-for-16 on first-half 3-pointers while Indiana made 55.6 percent from the field overall.
Miami got as close as eight points in the third quarter, but Indiana’s Obi Toppin answered with two straight 3-pointers. By the end of the period, Indiana led 91-78.
In the fourth quarter, Miami’s 16-4 run cut its deficit to 103-101 with 3:21 left. A three-pointer by Tyler Herro cut Miami’s deficit to 115-114 with 11.4 seconds left.
Aaron Nesmith then made two free throws for a 117-114 Pacers lead with 6.6 seconds left.
Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard fouled Herro to not allow him a score-tying 3-point attempt.
Herro made the first free throw before a lane violation on Kevin Love ended Miami’s chance at a miracle rally.
–Field Level Media
