Beaten by the Heat in the play-offs the past two years, the Pacers are on track to avoid the same fate after winning game one of the Eastern Conference finals at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Pacers led from start to finish in front of their home fans and got an even contribution in the win, set up by a 55-45 first half.
Paul George scored a team-high 24 points to go with his seven assists and four rebounds.
Roy Hibbert (19 points and nine rebounds), David West (19 points and seven rebounds) and Lance Stephenson (17 points and eight assists) were also strong contributors.
Others to manage double points for the Pacers included George Hill (15) and CJ Watson (11).
Dwyane Wade (27 points and four assists) and LeBron James (25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists) led the way for the Heat.
The Pacers, beaten 4-3 at this stage last season and 4-2 in the semi-finals in 2012, went on a 7-0 run to start the contest.
Back-to-back George three-pointers had their lead at 10 during the first quarter, an advantage they held at half-time after keeping the Heat at bay during the second.
The Pacers’ lead got out to 19 during the third quarter and their win was never in doubt, with the series staying in Indiana for game two on Tuesday.
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