Rising Star Pelle Larsson and the Miami Heat Look to Extend the Indiana Pacers’ Agony
The Kaseya Center in Miami is set to host a lopsided Eastern Conference clash on Saturday, December 27, 2025, as the Miami Heat (16-15) welcome the spiraling Indiana Pacers (6-25). Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Sun, FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, and WPLG. Coming off a convincing 126-111 road victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night—where second-year forward Pelle Larsson erupted for a career-high 21 points—the Heat are riding renewed momentum and aiming to push their record further above .500 while extending the Pacers’ misery to an eight-game losing streak.
For the Heat, this matchup represents more than just a favorable opportunity against the NBA’s worst team; it’s a chance to build on the positive vibes generated by Larsson’s breakout performance and a resurgent offense. Miami snapped an eight-of-nine skid with the Hawks win, rediscovering their early-season pace and physicality in a game that featured balanced scoring and dominant transition play. Larsson, returning from a five-game absence due to a sprained left ankle, wasted no time reasserting himself, starting alongside Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, and Kel’el Ware in a makeshift lineup necessitated by injuries, including Bam Adebayo’s back soreness.
Larsson’s impact was immediate and profound. The 6-foot-5 Swedish forward shot 9-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, while adding six rebounds, five assists, and a steal in 30 minutes. His efficient scoring, sharp cutting, and connective playmaking were exactly what coach Erik Spoelstra had been missing during Miami’s recent slump. Spoelstra praised Larsson postgame, highlighting his “glue intangibles” on both ends: relentless off-ball movement, defensive versatility, and the ability to elevate his teammates without dominating the ball.
“Pelle brings that energy and those little things that don’t always show up in the box score,” Spoelstra said. “He cuts hard, spaces the floor, defends multiple positions, and makes the right play. We were missing a ton of that during his absence.” Teammates echoed the sentiment, with Norman Powell—who led the Heat with 25 points against Atlanta—noting how Larsson’s presence opened driving lanes and created open looks.
This performance wasn’t an anomaly for Larsson, who has quietly emerged as one of Miami’s most reliable young pieces in his sophomore season. Drafted 44th overall in 2024 out of Arizona, the 24-year-old has shown remarkable growth, averaging around 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on efficient shooting before his injury. His 3-point stroke has improved steadily, and his athleticism allows him to thrive in Spoelstra’s motion-heavy system. Against the Hawks, Larsson’s banking in a contested triple and relentless drives embodied the “Heat Culture” that fans adore—hustle, smarts, and toughness.
Now, with the Heat facing a Pacers team decimated by injuries and poor form, Larsson’s role could be pivotal once again. Indiana arrives in Miami reeling from a 140-122 home loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday, marking their seventh consecutive defeat. The Pacers, who reached the NBA Finals just months ago only to lose star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a season-ending torn Achilles in Game 7, have plummeted to the league’s basement. Their offense ranks dead last (109.6 PPG), field-goal percentage (43.1%), and 3-point percentage (32.5%), while injuries to key players like Aaron Nesmith, Isaiah Jackson, and others have forced coach Rick Carlisle to rely on patchwork lineups featuring Pascal Siakam as the lone consistent threat (around 23 PPG).
Siakam’s recent candid comments about the team’s acceptance of losing—”When we decide that losing is not OK, we’re gonna go somewhere”—underscore the mental toll of this skid. The Pacers have endured multiple lengthy losing streaks this season, including runs of five, eight, and now seven games, dropping them to 6-25 overall and a dismal 1-14 on the road.
Miami, favored by 8.5 points with a moneyline around -372, holds significant advantages across the board. The Heat rank eighth in scoring (119.5 PPG) and fourth in opponent field-goal percentage (45.2%), while their home record stands at a strong 10-5. With Adebayo’s status uncertain but the depth showcased against Atlanta—Powell, Wiggins (18 points), Ware (double-double potential), and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (bench spark)—Miami can overwhelm Indiana’s depleted frontcourt and disorganized defense.
For Larsson specifically, this matchup screams opportunity. The Pacers rank 22nd in points allowed (118.4) and struggle mightily in transition and paint protection—areas where Larsson excels with his cutting, finishing, and rebounding. His ability to space the floor (36% from three this season) will pull defenders away from drivers like Powell and Wiggins, while his defensive IQ can disrupt Siakam’s post-ups or Nembhard’s pick-and-rolls.
If Larsson builds on his Hawks explosion, he could post another 20-point outing, further cementing his status as a core piece for Miami’s future. Fans have already started buzzing about his potential, with social media clips of his smooth jumpers and hustle plays going viral. In a season of ups and downs for the Heat—marked by injuries and inconsistent play—Larsson’s emergence provides a bright spot, a reminder of Pat Riley’s knack for developing overlooked talent.
The broader context adds intrigue. Miami is battling for playoff positioning in a crowded East, sitting around the play-in line but with upside if healthy. A win here would push them to 17-15, building confidence heading into a tougher January slate. For Indiana, this game is about pride and development; with Haliburton out and a high lottery pick likely incoming, snapping the streak would offer fleeting relief in an otherwise lost season.
Expect Spoelstra to lean on his versatile wings early, pushing the pace and attacking Indiana’s weak transition defense (bottom-third in the league). The over/under sits at 230.5, reflecting both teams’ tendencies—Miami’s potent offense versus Indiana’s leaky defense—but the Heat’s physicality should dictate a comfortable margin.
In the end, this feels like a statement game for the Heat and Larsson. As Miami aims to string wins together and climb the standings, extending the Pacers’ losing streak to eight seems inevitable. Pelle Larsson, fresh off his career night, could very well be the catalyst once more—proving that in the NBA, opportunity meets preparation in the form of a rising Swedish star shining under the Miami lights.
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