Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade (3) prepares to pass against Indiana Pacers’ Paul George (24) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Miami, Sunday, March 10, 2013. The Heat won 105-91. AP/Alan Diaz
MIAMI – The Miami Heat extended their franchise-best winning streak to 18 games by beating mistake-prone Indiana 105-91 on Sunday, avenging two one-sided losses to the Pacers earlier this season.
Dwyane Wade had 23 points and a half dozen steals and Chris Bosh shot 11-of-15 from the field and finished with 24 points for the Heat, who lost by double-digits in both previous contests to Indiana this season.
Miami’s 18-game winning streak ties the sixth-longest run in National Basketball Association history and they can match the 2008 Boston Celtics’ 19-game win streak with a victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday.
Mario Chalmers had a game high 26 points and nailed five-of-six three pointers and LeBron James added 13 points and seven assists in the win.
David West scored a team-high 24 points for the Pacers, who committed 18 turnovers.
Paul George struggled, shooting just two-of-11 from the field for Indiana, which were the last teams to defeat the Heat back in the beginning of February.
Chalmers made it 15-14 by sinking three free throws in the opening quarter to give the Heat a lead they would keep for the rest of the contest.
Miami finished the half on a 10-2 run to lead 56-46 going into the break.
Indiana closed out the third quarter on a 9-0 run of its own to make it 79-65 going into the fourth.
But then Miami found their scoring touch again in the fourth as the Heat cruised to its 14th win in a row at home.