Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner began the week with an injury to his right index finger. However, by the end of the week, he had a strong message for the Miami Heat: The Pacers are determined to maintain their position as the No. 6 seed in the East, and possibly even improve it.
Turner ended the week with an impressive performance, scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in 37 minutes on Sunday. His crucial free throws in the final moments helped secure a 117-115 victory over the Heat, extending the Pacers’ lead over Miami to 1 1/2 games.
“We understand the importance of this time of year, and we know that our fate is in our own hands,” Turner said. “At this stage, it’s important to push through injuries and give it our all.”
Turner led the Pacers with seven players scoring in double figures. T.J. McConnell also had a standout game off the bench, contributing 22 points on 11-of-14 shooting along with five assists.
For the Heat, Jimmy Butler led the scoring with 27 points, while Tyler Herro added 21 points. Despite their efforts, Miami fell short in their bid to avoid the league’s Play-In tournament, losing for just the second time in six games.
The Pacers maintained control throughout the game, never relinquishing the lead in the final 45 1/2 minutes, despite Miami’s late surge. The victory was particularly significant for Indiana fans, who celebrated owner Herb Simon’s election to the 2024 Hall of Fame class with a standing ovation.
With the Pacers aiming to break their playoff drought and make a deep postseason run, Sunday’s game marked a pivotal moment for the team, and they rose to the occasion with a spirited performance.
