Pacers-Heat delayed by lighting malfunction

Despite an incredible performance from Paul George, the Indiana Pacers would fall to the Miami Heat 103-100 in overtime.

The Pacers led 70-52 with four minutes left in the third quarter but it was all Miami after that, outscoring the Pacers 43-25 the rest of the way. Wade got the inbound pass and faced up Paul George-one of the league’s premier defenders-and blew by him for the score.

“Defensively, when I had to change (directions), it was hard to push off”, George said.

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts after a foul called against Chris Andersen during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, in Miami.

Miami is a veteran club and they weren’t fazed when they got down by 18 points.

Back in Miami, Indiana led by 18 in the third quarter, before the Heat roared back.

The Heat did not take their first lead until 2:40 remained in regulation, and that only after a technical foul on Pacers coach Frank Vogel, in a game that compensated with intensity for it lacked in artistry. His steady hand led to three consecutive makes from the behind the arc: Miles for consecutive long shots, then George beyond the left corner, and the Pacers opened the 15-3 lead. The Heat, led by Bosh’s 10 second-quarter points, cut the deficit to 47-44 at halftime. Monta Ellis had 17 points, Ian Mahinmi finished with 13 and Rodney Stuckey scored 12 for the Pacers.

The game was already delayed 30 minutes due to a lighting issue inside the AAA.

The Heat forced overtime off an inbounds play with 2.7 seconds to play, when Wade scored on a driving layup that was confirmed by replay.

Pacers: George Hill (food poisoning) was out, so CJ Miles – who has started 23 of his 29 appearances this season anyway – was back in the in starting lineup.

The arena was darkened as usual for the playing of Miami’s pregame video and introduction of the Heat starters.

The Pacers started the game 9-0, and had control of the entire game…mostly.

The Miami Heat (20-13) are coming from a 97-75 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

The Heat have won seven of the past eight meetings in Miami. The Heat defense has actually been better with Hassan Whiteside (knee) out, so Bosh actually gets a lot of credit for his effort on that end.