The Indiana Pacers‘ weak game against the Miami Heat on Friday was anything but entertaining. Tyrese Haliburton and the team just couldn’t deliver, leaving fans disappointed. From the second quarter on, Bam Adebayo’s Heat took charge and never let go of the game. Well, not just fans but Pacers’ HC Rick Carlisle has all the reasons to upset his boys. Going down 5-7 after a decent start to the season was the last thing the 65-year-old was looking for.

At the post-game presser the ringmaster of the Pacers, Rick Carlisle spewed his exasperation. He urged the fans and media to hold him accountable for the 111-124 defeat on the home soil. Even the fans turned unsupportive on seeing the lackluster game of their favorites. Thus, Coach Carlisle expressed:

“Put the responsibility on me. I gotta do a better job getting these guys prepared. It was embarrassing. There were two stretches where our fans booed and rightly so. And I was ashamed to hear that. But they were right.”

There can never be a bigger shame than fans turning their faces away from the team they support. So, it’s safe to say, that November 15 is the night Rick Carlisle and Co. would want to erase from their memories as soon as possible. Oddly enough none of the Pacers players could score beyond 20 points, except Obi Toppin who added 21 to the tally. Even Haliburton was packaged at 18 points.

On the other hand, Bam Adebayo’s 30 points and Tyler Herro’s 20 points did wonders for the Miami Heat. Despite not having Jimmy Butler on the team due to injuries, the team did a brilliant job at holding off the home team in Indianapolis. So much so, that Carlisle couldn’t resist but appreciate the competitiveness the ops showed to his boys.

Rick Carlisle gives a nod to the Miami Heat for their brilliant play against the Pacers

“The second unit guys showed really what this game is about,” Rick Carlisle said in the post-game presser. The NBA is all about being competitive and the Miami Heat really put out that side of theirs on Friday. “Unbridled competitive spirit,” the 65YO HC added, “and being physical and playing to exhaustion and playing unselfish.” Simply put, the Pacers have a lot to work on and make adjustments before their game against the Heat once again.

Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo hit his career’s 197th double-double on Friday night. The Miami center led the way with 30 points, 11, rebounds, 7 assists, and five steals for the big game. “I got to see the ball go in,” Adebayo said after the game. “I found the rhythm and got aggressive and it was big for us.” Well, we saw how the Miami Heat gained pace and tempo against Indiana after trailing by 3 points in the first quarter. By the time the third quarter began, Rick Carlisle’s boys had nothing much to do but to partially cave in (which they did).

Overall, the Pacers’ loss to the Heat was a tough one and HC Carlisle’s frustration was clear. The team failed to deliver, and the fans made their feelings known. On the other hand, Miami played with intensity and focus. And Bam Adebayo’s performance was key to their success. Therefore, The Pacers have a lot to work on before their next matchup. It’s a game they’ll want to forget, but also learn from.