Pacers hold off Heat to hold sixth in the East

With sixth place at stake in the Eastern Conference, backup point guard T.J. McConnell posted 22 points and five assists as the host Indiana Pacers defeated the Miami Heat 117-115 on Sunday night in Indianapolis.

Myles Turner added 22 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana, which got off to a hot start and held off a late Miami rally.

Pacers starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who started the day leading the NBA in assists (11.0), had a quiet game. He had 12 points and eight assists.

But McConnell filled the void, making 11 of 14 shots. It was yet another gritty performance for an undersized player (6-1) who was undrafted and yet is in his ninth year in the league.

With the win, Indiana (45-34) extended its lead over Miami (43-35) to 1 1/2 games.

The top six teams in each conference are guaranteed playoff berths. Teams seven through 10 will compete in the play-in round.

Miami was led by Jimmy Butler, who had a game-high 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Bam Adebayo added 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Indiana, thanks to 66.7-percent shooting, led 38-24 at the end of the first quarter. The Heat shot just 39.1 percent, including 0-for-7 on 3-pointers.

Miami trailed by as many 22 points in the second quarter before trimming its deficit to 63-46 at halftime.

The Heat shot just 2-for-16 on first-half 3-pointers while Indiana made 55.6 percent from the field overall.

Miami got as close as eight points in the third quarter, but Indiana's Obi Toppin answered with two straight 3-pointers. By the end of the period, Indiana led 91-78.

In the fourth quarter, Miami's 16-4 run cut its deficit to 103-101 with 3:21 left. A three-pointer by Tyler Herro cut Miami's deficit to 115-114 with 11.4 seconds left.

Aaron Nesmith then made two free throws for a 117-114 Pacers lead with 6.6 seconds left.

Indiana's Andrew Nembhard fouled Herro to not allow him a score-tying 3-point attempt.

Herro made the first free throw before a lane violation on Kevin Love ended Miami's chance at a miracle rally.