Heat vs Pacers Preview: Midseason Standstill Meets Draft Season

Sunday's matchup feels like two teams moving in completely opposite directions. Miami, sitting at 39-35, is grinding toward the playoffs with discipline and resilience. Indiana, at just 16-58, has fully embraced a rebuilding year after losing Tyrese Haliburton to injury. Although neither team is chasing a championship right now, this game still carries real stakes for Miami's playoff positioning.

Miami's offense depends heavily on its key scorers staying healthy. Norman Powell, acquired from the Clippers, has emerged as the team's leading scorer, averaging nearly 23 points per game. However, he is questionable Sunday after tweaking his back. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro remains sidelined with rib injuries, preventing him from building momentum. If both miss this game, Miami's offense loses significant firepower.

When things get tough for Miami, Bam Adebayo is always the anchor. He averages about 18 points, nearly 10 rebounds, and contributes roughly a steal and a block per game. His versatility on defense defines how Miami plays as a team. Although his shooting was inconsistent in their last game against Atlanta, Adebayo's two-way impact makes him the most important player on the floor for the Heat.

Pascal Siakam has been Indiana's brightest light this season, averaging about 23 points per game while carrying the offense. Andrew Nembhard adds playmaking, but is also questionable Sunday with a back injury. Indiana's strategy is intentional: finish with a poor record and land a top draft pick. If everything goes according to plan, a healthy Haliburton paired with a top prospect could quickly return the Pacers to contention.