NBA: Pacers beat the Heat to clinch overtime victory

Indianapolis, Indiana - The Indiana Pacers clinched their first win of the 2021-22 NBA regular season, but it took a little extra time as the Miami Heat put them through their paces on Saturday night.

Domantas Sabonis and the Pacers got their first win of the season on Saturday night against the Heat.
Domantas Sabonis and the Pacers got their first win of the season on Saturday night against the Heat.  © Imago/UPI Photo

The Pacers beat the Heat 102-91 in overtime to avoid a three-game skid, getting their first win of the year – and causing the Heat’s first in the loss column.

Indiana was in control for the first half of the game, and they went into the half up by double-digits, 56-46.

Miami turned up the heat, fitting, in the third quarter. They held the Pacers to only eight points, and only trailed them by one.

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Both squads stayed neck-and-neck throughout the fourth to force the game into overtime. The Pacers finally pulled away by holding the Heat to just 5 points for the win.

A player in the spotlight

Oshae Brissett scored 18 points and led the Pacers to an overtime win over the Heat on Saturday.
Oshae Brissett scored 18 points and led the Pacers to an overtime win over the Heat on Saturday.  © IMAGO/Action Plus

Second-year forward Oshae Brissett (23) was a secret weapon for the Pacers, despite not starting the game.

Playing just 32 minutes off the bench, Brissett was one of his team’s leading scorers – including a shot that gave his team the lead in overtime. It set them up to run away with the victory.

Earlier in the game, he put up big contributions, shooting 50% from behind the three-point line.

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Brissett finished the night 7-for-11 shooting, gaining 18 points and nine rebounds.

The big picture

Sabonis and the Pacers can make it two wins in a row on Monday night against the Bucks.
Sabonis and the Pacers can make it two wins in a row on Monday night against the Bucks.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

In addition to Brissett's huge performance, it was a big team effort for the Pacers on Saturday night.

The team came together to hand a tough loss to a squad that demolished defending champs by 42 points just the other night.

Indiana used balanced scoring and, to their detriment, a bit of stingy defense at times when they really needed it.

It's definitely something they can build on as they fight to be in the playoffs come May, after just missing the play-in tournament last year.

On Monday night, the Pacers host the Bucks while the Heat are back at home to face the Magic.

Cover photo: Imago/UPI Photo

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