Indiana Pacers Shock The Miami Heat 81-75

Nov 12, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) is pressured by Miami Heat forward Shawne Williams (43) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami, FL – The Indiana Pacers were able to improve to 3-6 and shock the Miami Heat on the road with an 81-75 win. Not many analysts or fans gave them a chance to come away with a win, but the Pacers stuck together, played excellent team basketball, and played the smashmouth style of defense that Frank Vogel has always preached. Miami has to be extremely disappointed with the loss, but they will be just fine after the regroup and move forward.

There is no question that the Pacers were out to prove a point tonight, and they were able to do just that against their rivals. Miami isn’t the same team that they have been in the past couple of years, but they were still 5-2 coming into the game and had played some good basketball.

Chris Copeland once again led the Pacers in scoring with 17 on 7-17 shooting, but did only make 3-10 from behind the three-point arc. He made some big shots down the stretch to help the Pacers come away with the win. Roy Hibbert came through with another huge performance for Indiana as well, scoring 16 points to go along with 15 rebounds and three blocked shots.

Donald Sloan was the only other double digit scorer for the Pacers with 15 points, while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out three assists. Solomon Hill scored nine points and grabbed 10 rebounds as well. A.J. Price came off of the bench to score seven points, while Lavoy Allen scored six points to go along with seven rebounds in the game.

Dwyane Wade led the way for the Heat on the night with 20 points, but shot just 3-7 from the foul line. Indiana did an excellent job limiting Chris Bosh, who scored just nine points on 3-13 shooting on the night. Shawne Williams was the only other Heat player in double figures on the night with 15 points, and he nailed 4-5 from behind the three-point arc.

Indiana is still very confident in their ability to compete for a playoff spot this season, and they are buying some time for their starters and key players to come back from injuries. They still have quite a bit of work to do and quite a bit of time before they’re back to full health, but they’re doing very well at fighting and competing when many haven’t given them a chance.

Next up for the Pacers is a November 14th game against the Denver Nuggets back home at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.