Heat rout Pacers in Cup opener

The NBA Cup group stage entered its fourth year with a stark display of roster depth. On Friday night, the Miami Heat demonstrated why full rosters matter in tournament play by dismantling a decimated Indiana Pacers team.

The final score was 145-125 in favor of Miami. Antetokounmpo recorded 31 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists in 31 minutes. It was his second triple-double of the season. Bam Adebayo contributed 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting. Klay Thompson added 25 points, including seven 3-pointers. The Heat outscored Indiana 67-46 in the second and third quarters.

Indiana fielded only 11 available players. Tyrese Haliburton missed the game with a hamstring strain that could sideline him for weeks. Obi Toppin suffered a back injury during pregame warmups. Quenton Jackson led the Pacers with 24 points. Andrew Nembhard added 22. Jarace Walker scored 14. Pascal Siakam and Jay Huff both had 13 points.

Acting coach Lloyd Pierce filled in for head coach Rick Carlisle. Carlisle was attending his father's funeral in Ogdensburg, New York. The loss places the Pacers in a difficult position in the tournament standings. In previous years, teams advancing from the group stage finished the opening round with a 4-0 or 3-1 record. Indiana now faces Brooklyn on Sunday. Miami travels to Los Angeles on Monday to play the Lakers.