Deadspin: Giannis Antetokounmpo triple-double leads Heat past Pacers in NBA Cup opener

Miami pulls away after halftime

The Heat held a seven-point advantage at halftime, then opened the third quarter with a 10-0 run. Klay Thompson’s third 3-pointer of the game made it 78-61. Thompson added consecutive 3-pointers later in the quarter, and made two more before the period ended. Miami carried a 103-82 lead into the final quarter, after Indiana scored the last six points of the third. Miami outscored the Pacers 42-37 in the fourth to secure the 145-125 win.

Antetokounmpo leads balanced scoring

Antetokounmpo finished with 31 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists for a triple-double. Adebayo contributed 27 points and nine rebounds, while Thompson scored 25 points on seven 3-pointers.

Pelle Larsson added 18 points off the bench, Davion Mitchell had 15 points and 11 assists, and Andrew Wiggins scored 12. The victory was Miami’s first at home this season and its second in a row.

Pacers start strong, then fade

Indiana led 42-36 after the first quarter, with Andrew Nembhard, Jay Huff and Larry Nance Jr. each making two 3-pointers. Quenton Jackson’s 3-pointer later pushed the Pacers’ lead to eight in the second quarter.

Miami closed the first half on a 22-7 run to take a 68-61 lead. Antetokounmpo and Nembhard each had 17 points by halftime. Jackson led Indiana with 24 points off the bench. Nembhard finished with 22 points and nine assists, while reserve Jarace Walker scored 14; Indiana has now lost three straight.