Bam Adebayo sidelined again as Miami Heat prepare for Indiana Pacers
As the Miami Heat gear up for their Saturday night clash against the Indiana Pacers, they face a significant setback: star center Bam Adebayo will miss his second consecutive game due to lower back soreness. This injury comes at a pivotal moment for the Heat, who are looking to build momentum after a recent victory.
In a late development, Kel’el Ware has been added to the injury report but was subsequently upgraded to available after initially being listed as probable. This quick turnaround may offer the Heat some much-needed depth as they navigate Adebayo’s absence.
Pacers’ roster updates
On the other side of the court, the Pacers have received some positive news. Starting swingman Aaron Nesmith is set to make his return following a lengthy 19-game hiatus due to a knee sprain. His presence could bolster Indiana’s lineup as they seek to turn around a challenging season.
However, the Pacers will be without T.J. McConnell, a player often regarded as a thorn in the Heat’s side, who will sit out with hamstring soreness.
Injury report breakdown
HEAT
Kel’el Ware: Available – Quads
Bam Adebayo: Out – Back
Tyler Herro: Out – Toe
Terry Rozier: Out – Not with team
PACERS
Aaron Nesmith: Available – Knee
T.J. McConnell: Out – Hamstring
Isaiah Jackson: Out – Concussion
Ben Sheppard: Out – Calf
Obi Toppin: Out – Foot
Tyrese Haliburton: Out – Achilles
Game details
The matchup is set for Saturday, December 27, at 8:00 p.m. EST, taking place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Fans can catch the action on various channels, including the FanDuel Sports Network for both South Florida and Indiana audiences, with radio coverage across multiple stations in both regions.
Team statistics and history
The Heat (16-14) and the Pacers (6-25) meet for the first of three regular-season encounters. Last season, both teams split their four games, with Miami holding a slight edge in their all-time series, which stands at 58-76. Notably, the Heat boast a much stronger record at home, winning 43 of their 68 matchups against Indiana in Miami.
Projected starting lineups
HEAT
G: Davion Mitchell
G: Norman Powell
C: Kel’el Ware
F: Pelle Larsson
F: Andrew Wiggins
PACERS
G: Andrew Nembhard
G: Bennedict Mathurin
C: Jay Huff
F: Aaron Nesmith
F: Pascal Siakam
Betting lines
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Heat are favored by 6.5 points with a moneyline of -260, while the Pacers sit at +215. The total points line is set at 230.5, with slight variations on the over/under.
Coach’s perspective
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reflected on the team’s efforts leading up to this game, emphasizing the importance of resilience. “It was good to see our guys just dive into the process. It’s tough in NBA seasons. You’re always going to go through something, and we’ve been through a rough patch together,” he said. Spoelstra praised the collective spirit of the team, noting their determination to improve and adapt in Adebayo’s absence.
As the Heat prepare for this crucial matchup, all eyes will be on how they adjust without their star big man and whether they can capitalize on the Pacers’ challenges.
