October 29, 2026 at 3:27 AM UTC

Pregame Analysis

Pacers Short-Handed as Desperate Heat Look to Turn Season Around

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Indiana's growing injury list gives Miami a clear path to stabilize its early season.

The most important news in this matchup is on Indiana's side. Tyrese Haliburton has a mild strained left hamstring, and Rick Carlisle said he will miss at least two weeks, so he is not expected to play in Miami. That is a major loss for a Pacers team that leaned on him in his first four games back from a torn Achilles, when he averaged 21.8 points, 9.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds. With his Achilles history, Indiana has every reason to be careful. The Pacers lose their top creator and the offense that comes with him.

The problem goes beyond one guard. Four of Indiana's five starters appeared on the injury report for the Sixers game, and Ivica Zubac is among those dealing with injuries. Indiana's lineup and rotation for this game remain uncertain. A depleted group that has to create offense without its lead playmaker will struggle to keep a steady pace against a motivated opponent.

Miami has plenty of motivation. The Heat started 0-4 after losing at home to Dallas, and they entered their game at Atlanta still looking for their first win. Their record coming into this one depends on how that game went, but the pressure to improve will be there either way. Giannis Antetokounmpo's fit with Bam Adebayo and the team's playmaking have been shaky, even though Giannis had a 29-point, 14-rebound, 11-assist triple-double against Dallas. This is a good chance for that pairing to find rhythm against a thinner opponent.

Expect Miami to use its star power and home-court energy to build a lead, while Indiana's patchwork lineup struggles to keep up. The Pacers will stay in range for a while, but the Heat should pull away late.

Prediction: Heat 113, Pacers 104.

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