Much like Will Smith, the Pacers are doubling up in Miami. The game tonight is the first of two against the Heat, with the second leg coming on Saturday. After a bad home loss to Portland in the last outing, the Pacers are looking to right the disturbances in the force by getting back into the win column on Star Wars Night.

The funny thing about Miami doing Star Wars night is that they are very clearly the Sith and they seem to embrace it.

Miami is always a tough matchup and these next two games should be no exception. They are a very skilled defensive unit that applies pressure and comes up with steals. I imagine their plan will be to force the ball out of Haliburton's hands. Therefore, the secondary creation ability of Bruce Brown, Buddy Hield, and Aaron Nesmith could be put to the test tonight. Keeping turnovers low will be a game within the game.

On the bright side, Miami isn't the most efficient offensive team (not that it matters against the Pacers' Swiss-cheese defense). The most encouraging thing I see in the image below is that Miami doesn't dominate the offensive glass. It feels like every opponent we've played in the past few weeks has been in the top half of the league. Hopefully we can hold them to one shot for most of the night (and hopefully those shots are contested and don't go in – but that feels like asking for too much).

Both teams have been effective at running opponents off the three point line this year, though Miami has been able to force mid-range attempts whereas Indy gives up the most shots at the rim. I don't have much faith that the Pacers will impose their will defensively, so executing on offense will be make or break (as it always is).

Injuries

Jalen Smith is out with a knee bone bruise and a heel contusion for at least the next two games. Though Jackson and McConnell are on the injury report, Carlisle says they will likely be available. The Pacers brought Oscar Tshiebwe along for the trip to Miami to shore up the center position.

For the Heat, Jimmy Butler is expected to return to the lineup after missing two games with an injured ankle.

Rookie G-League Action

Jarace and Ben were back with the Mad Ants this week and played well once again. With so much uncertainty around the back-up center position tonight, I'm hopeful we'll get to see Jarace get his first extended run in a meaningful game. I'll be a bit disappointed if Carlisle plays Tshiebwe over him right off the bat.

The Simons Cash-In

How to Watch

Tipoff is at 7:30 PM ET.

TV: NBA TV, Bally Sports Indiana, NBA League Pass

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

See ya in the comments.

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