Miami- What was supposed to be a close showdown between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference turned out to be a one-sided affair when the smoke cleared.
Miami used a blistering 20-2 run to start third quarter and never looked back as they defeated the Indiana Pacers 98-86 at the American Airlines Arena on Friday night.
With the Heat slightly ahead and the game still in balance 45-42 at the half, Miami held the Pacers without a field goal for the first 6 minutes in the third before a Luis Scola layup broke the ice.
Lebron James led all scorers with 36 points and 6 rebounds. Mario Chalmers added 13 points and 5 assists for Miami, who led as much 23 points in that pivotal third canto
Paul George paced Indiana with 22 points and 5 rebounds and the usually dominant Roy Hibbert was held to 5 points and a solitary rebound. Indiana had cut the lead to 9 early in the fourth quarter before Miami embarked on another run to put the game away
With the win, the Heat grabbed the top of the Eastern Conference standings anew, after relinquishing it to the Pacers a few days ago
The Heat were without Dwyane Wade who missed his 9th consecutive game ( left hamstring) and center Greg Oden( back)
Miami (54-25) will face Atlanta (36-43) the next day and the Pacers (54-26) will face the streaking Oklahoma City Thunder (58-21)
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