Miami star Jimmy Butler may return to the lineup as the Heat wrap up their six-game road trip against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
Butler, who has missed the last three games due to a sprained right ankle, traveled with the team and participated in on-court workouts before Friday’s 124-111 victory over the Pacers.
In that game, Bam Adebayo led Miami with 30 points and 11 rebounds, while Tyler Herro contributed 20 points. The Heat bounced back from a narrow overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Miami secured the win on Friday by starting the second half with a 28-12 run, extending their lead to 22 points in the third quarter. They shot 51.7 percent (45 of 87) from the field and 35.7 percent (15 of 42) from three-point range.
The Pacers, coming off two consecutive losses, will need to improve their defense to split the weekend series. Coach Rick Carlisle benched all five starters during a disappointing third quarter on Friday.
Obi Toppin led Indiana with 21 points off the bench, while Haliburton added 18 points and eight assists. The Pacers shot 51.2 percent (44 of 86) from the field and 40 percent (14 of 35) from beyond the arc, but their defensive struggles frustrated Carlisle.
A notable highlight from Friday’s game was the performance of Heat forward Kevin Love, who scored all 15 of his points in the third quarter on 6-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range.
The 36-year-old also contributed seven rebounds, four steals, and two assists in just 12 minutes. Love has started the last three games but could return to a reserve role when Butler is back.
