Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers NBA Cup opener. Image via: NBA
The Miami Heat are 1-4. Miami snapped its skid with a 129-117 win in Atlanta on Wednesday. Tip-off is 8 p.m. 30, at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Fans in the Heat market can watch on WPLG Local 10, free over the air or through Local 10+ Platinum. Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.6 points and 11.2 rebounds in five games, but the Heat lost their first four, their worst opening since 2007-08. The 29-year-old, Adebayo passed Udonis Haslem on Wednesday to become the franchise’s rebounding leader, now at 5,794, and scored 24 points. Miami ran 57 pick-and-rolls in that game, and both big men finished with 24. The fifth-year guard had 18 points and 14 assists in Wednesday’s loss to Philadelphia and is now the Pacers’ primary ball handler. Pascal Siakam is also worth tracking against the Heat’s new star, since the two logged 1,559 possessions guarding each other through 2025-26.
Coach Erik Spoelstra said the Atlanta win showed his group did not let the losses sink its spirit. As the Heat open NBA Cup play against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center, Antetokounmpo will have the opportunity to secure his first home win with the Heat. Indiana comes in with five players ruled out and three losses in its last four games. Friday also brings a short injury report for Miami and a long one for the Pacers. ET, and the viewing options depend on where you live. The game starts Friday, Oct. ET at Kaseya Center in Miami. ET. Pacers market viewers get DAZN. Everyone else can use NBA League Pass, though games shown locally are blacked out until three days later. Miami has little room for another slow start. Indiana has five players out: Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring strain, at least two weeks), Ivica Zubac (sprained left ankle), T.J. McConnell, Ben Sheppard (left meniscus surgery) and Johnny Furphy (right ACL surgery). Andrew Nembhard, who has neck soreness, and Aaron Nesmith, with a left hamstring strain, are probable. Coach Rick Carlisle put the roster problem bluntly: “We just need bodies. He is away from the team for a family matter, so Lloyd Pierce will coach as interim. Antetokounmpo and Adebayo are the headline names. With Zubac out, Indiana has fewer answers inside. Nembhard carries the other side.