LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. AKA The Bubble — TJ Warren walked into the building on Monday night leading all scorers in The Bubble with a 34.8 ppg average since the restart. He’s been down right dangerous, well…until the Miami Heat go hold to him as they blasted the Pacers 114-92.
The Heat held Warren in check limiting him to 12 points on 5 for 14 shooting in 29 minutes as Jimmy Butler returned to the lineup. Butler returned from a foot injury dropping off 19 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists.
Miami jumped out of the ride and went on a 5-0 run. Before anybody could panic Victor Oladipo rained a three to put the Pacers on the board. However, they started the game 2-8 from the field. Luckily mid-way through the first quarter they were only down 14-7.
TJ Warren struggled to find a rhythm early going 2-7 from the field early on. Indiana finished the first quarter shooting only 6-18. However, they outscored the Heat 10-2 to close out the opening period and was only down 23-19. That was a miracle in and of itself that they were still in it shooting as bad as they were.
Indiana eventually went on a 14-2 run as they continued their run to start the second period. They knotted it up 23-23 with a little over 11 minutes left in the half.
The Pacers took it’s first lead of the first half on a three-pointer by Oladipo to go up 47-44 with 1:18 left in the half. The Blue and Gold went into the break all knotted up 48-48.
Miami came out of the half on a 14-4 run on fire!!! Indiana looked lost shooting 33 percent from the field while the Heat shot 64 percent from the field in the third quarter. They eventually blew the doors off of the joint with a 35-17 run in the third quarter and never looked back.
Indiana looked like they were stuck in the mud with only three players finishing in double figures. Victor Oladipo led the Blue and Gold with 14 points while Warren and Malcolm Brogdon both dropped off 12 points apiece.
As a team they shot a mere 39 percent from the field and 27 percent from downtown.
Miami finished with seven players in double figures. Derrick Jones and Tyler Herro came off of the bench and dropped 18 and 17 points respectively. Duncan Robinson and Jae Crowder hit them up for 14 each as Goran Dragic dropped off 11 on his way to Big Momma’s house.
The Heat owned Indiana this season going 3-0 and pulling a game ahead of the Pacers in the playoff standings resting at the fourth spot.
The Pacers may as well get ready for this boyz because this will be their playoff nemesis.
Up next Houston on Wednesday.
