Arizona in the NBA Playoffs: Andre Iguodala again part of Heat’s closing lineup in win over Pacers to go up 3-0 in series

Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

(Editor’s note: With Pac-12 sports gone until January, we will be recapping every NBA playoff game that includes a former Arizona Wildcat, along with some social media reaction.)

The NBA playoff series with the most former Arizona Wildcats figured to give UA fans the most opportunity for highlights from those ex-stars. But so far it’s been pretty one-sided, both in terms of individual and team performance.

The Miami Heat hold a 3-0 series lead on the Indiana Pacers after Saturday’s 124-115 win in the Orlando bubble, but not before nearly blowing a 20-point lead.

Up only two points with 4:07 left, the Heat went on an 11-3 run to put the game away. On the court down the stretch was ex-UA star Andre Iguodala, who played the final 17 minutes; he logged 28 minutes overall, scoring three points with three rebounds, three assists and a plus-9 rating.

Miami’s other ex-Wildcat, Solomon Hill, did not see action. He’s yet to appear in the playoffs for the Heat.

The Heat had four players score at least 20, led by Jimmy Butler’s 27 and 24 from Goran Dragic.

Indiana got 34 points and 14 assists from Malcolm Brogdon but could not defend without fouling, sending Miami to the line 52 times. And its bench, which was big in Game 1 after Victor Oladipo suffered an eye injury, had just 14 points in 53 total minutes.

That included just five minutes of court time for ex-UA point guard T.J. McConnell, who had a rebound and two assists but did not score.

What’s next

Miami goes for the sweep Monday at 3:30 p.m. MST on TNT. NBA teams are 136-0 when leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven-series.

Also Monday, the Orlando Magic hope to get Aaron Gordon back from a strained hamstring that has kept him out for more than two weeks when they face the Milwaukee Bucks at 10:30 a.m. MST on TNT. Milwaukee is up 2-1, having won the last two games after the eighth-seeded Magic pulled off the Game 1 upset.

And on Sunday the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors go for a sweep of the Brooklyn Nets at 3:30 p.m. MST on TNT. Toronto’s roster includes former Wildcats Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson.

What they’re saying about Arizona’s guys on social media

I hope Andre Iguodala plays forever

— NICK (@nickgrodo) August 22, 2020

Deep 3 at the buzzer by Iguodala. pic.twitter.com/FNAbO2yJey

— Schopsss (@Schopsss1) August 22, 2020

is Iguodala a better deep shooter than Steph Curry? pic.twitter.com/hvAg2bLUEB

— Antonin (@antonin_org) August 22, 2020

Tj McConnell for president

— Solomon Grundy (@Invxsxble_Bxlly) August 22, 2020

Iguodala https://t.co/DCBpMIHytJ

— Pope Sean Paul II (@johnnygraffiti) August 22, 2020

Free Solomon Hill

— Austin (@ChefTrillie) August 22, 2020

Andre Iguodala and playoff basketball go together

— luke cooper (@LukeCooperHD) August 22, 2020

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