The Miami Heat return to action on Sunday, March 29, facing the Indiana Pacers in a matchup that blends playoff urgency with a fast-paced scoring trend. With Miami battling for position in the Eastern Conference and Indiana dealing with a heavily depleted roster, this game has quickly become one of the most searched NBA matchups of the day.
Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, and fans looking to watch live have multiple streaming and broadcast options available.
How to watch Miami Heat vs Pacers live
The game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, with live streaming available via Fubo, which offers access to NBA games through its live TV packages. Viewers in the US can stream the game in real time, while international audiences can check local listings for coverage.
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Heat vs Pacers odds and betting lines
Miami enters the matchup as a strong favorite, reflecting both their superior record and Indiana’s injury situation.
Moneyline: Heat -400 | Pacers +310
Spread: Heat -9.5 | Pacers +9.5
Total (Over/Under): 245.5
The high total reflects the recent scoring trends from both teams, with defenses struggling to contain opponents in recent games.
Team form and recent performance
Miami enters this game with a 39–35 record but has struggled recently, losing 5 of their last 6 games. Their latest setback came in a 149–128 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where defensive issues once again surfaced. Despite the slump, the Heat remain 9th in the Eastern Conference and are already locked into the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Indiana, meanwhile, has endured one of the toughest stretches in the league. The Pacers hold a 16–58 record and have lost 18 of their last 19 games, highlighting their struggles on both ends of the floor. They narrowly lost their most recent game 114–113 to the Clippers, showing flashes of competitiveness despite the results.
Head-to-head and season series
The season series between these teams is currently tied 1–1. Indiana claimed a dominant 123–99 win in their most recent meeting in January, while Miami previously secured a convincing 142–116 victory in December.
That split adds another layer of intrigue, especially with both teams entering this game under very different circumstances.
Key injuries and lineup updates
Injuries play a major role in this matchup, particularly for Indiana.
Miami Heat:
Norman Powell — questionable (back)
Indiana Pacers:
Tyrese Haliburton — out (achilles)
Johnny Furphy — out (knee)
T.J. McConnell — questionable
Aaron Nesmith — questionable
Pascal Siakam — questionable
Obi Toppin — questionable
Ivica Zubac — out (rib)
The absence of Haliburton, combined with multiple questionable players, significantly impacts Indiana’s offensive structure heading into this game.
Stat comparison and matchup insights
From a statistical standpoint, Miami holds a clear advantage. The Heat are averaging 120.3 points per game (2nd in the NBA), while the Pacers are scoring 111.9 points (27th).
Rebounding also favors Miami, with 46.6 rebounds per game (3rd) compared to Indiana’s 41.7 (26th). The Heat also maintain slight edges in shooting efficiency, including field goal percentage, free throw accuracy, and three-point shooting.
However, Indiana’s faster pace and defensive struggles often lead to high-scoring games, which aligns with recent trends from both teams.
Scoring trends and total outlook
Both teams have been heavily involved in high-scoring games recently. The Pacers have hit the Over in 7 of their last 10 games and have allowed 126 or more points in 6 of their last 7.
Miami has mirrored that trend, also hitting the Over in 7 of their last 10 while scoring 120+ points in 4 of their last 5 games.
These numbers explain why the total is set as high as 245.5, signaling expectations of another offensive-heavy matchup.
Against the spread trends
Despite their poor overall record, Indiana has been competitive against the spread. The Pacers have covered in 5 straight games and are 6–2 ATS in their last 8, including strong performances at home.
Miami, on the other hand, has struggled to cover, going 2–5 ATS over their recent stretch.
This contrast creates an interesting dynamic, with bettors weighing Miami’s overall strength against Indiana’s recent ability to stay within the spread.
Players to watch
For Miami, Bam Adebayo continues to anchor both ends of the floor, coming off a double-double performance with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Tyler Herro remains a key scoring option, while Jaime Jaquez Jr. has stepped up with consistent offensive contributions.
On Indiana’s side, Aaron Nesmith has emerged as a key contributor, recently posting strong scoring performances and increased playing time. Andrew Nembhard also adds playmaking value, highlighted by his recent double-double outing.
Game outlook
Miami enters as the clear favorite, but their recent struggles introduce some uncertainty. Indiana’s injuries and overall record suggest a difficult matchup, yet their recent performances against the spread and ability to score keep this game competitive.
With both teams trending toward high-scoring games and defensive inconsistencies on display, this matchup is set up for another fast-paced, offense-driven contest that could remain closer than expected despite the odds.
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