Antetokounmpo Triple-Double Powers Heat Past Shorthanded Pacers in NBA Cup Opener

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his second triple-double of the season, and the Miami Heat opened their NBA Cup schedule with a 145-125 victory over the shorthanded Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

Antetokounmpo finished with 31 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in just 31 minutes, helping Miami to its second consecutive win. Bam Adebayo added 27 points on an efficient 11-of-14 shooting night. The Heat took control in the middle of the game, outscoring Indiana 67-46 across the second and third quarters.

Klay Thompson turned in his best performance since arriving in Miami, scoring 25 points and hitting seven 3-pointers. He now sits within 55 threes of tying former Heat guard Ray Allen, who made 2,973, for third place on the NBA's career list.

Pelle Larsson chipped in 18 points for the Heat, while Davion Mitchell had 15 points and 11 assists.

For Indiana, Quenton Jackson led the way with 24 points and Andrew Nembhard scored 22. Jarace Walker contributed 14, and Pascal Siakam and Jay Huff each had 13. The Pacers came out fast with 42 points in the first quarter but managed only 46 over the following two quarters combined.

Indiana had just 11 players available. Guard Tyrese Haliburton is out for at least a couple of weeks, and possibly longer, with a hamstring strain. The team then lost Obi Toppin when his back went out before Friday morning's shootaround, according to acting coach Lloyd Pierce.

Pierce was filling in for head coach Rick Carlisle, who was attending his father's funeral in Ogdensburg, New York.

The result leaves the Pacers with a difficult path out of group play in the NBA Cup, now in its fourth year. Each team plays four group-stage games, and every club that has advanced to the knockout round so far has finished either 4-0 or 3-1.

Indiana will host Brooklyn on Sunday. Miami travels to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.