Aussies Abroad: Furphy steers Pacers to win over Heat

Australian young gun Johnny Furphy was back in double figures as the Indiana Pacers banked consecutive NBA wins for the first time in more than a month with a dominant 123-99 victory over Miami.

After ending a 13-game losing streak in a confidence-boosting triumph away to Charlotte, the Pacers never trailed and broke clear with a big third quarter against the Heat in Indianapolis on Saturday night (local time).

They ended the period on a 34-14 run, led by as much as 29 points and went on to snap a seven-game home losing streak in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,274 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Andrew Nembhard top-scored with 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting, with Micah Potter (14) and Jarace Walker (13) also among the seven Pacers in double figures.

Melbourne product Furphy retained his spot in the starting line-up and had 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-2 from long range.

The 21-year-old guard scored all of his points in the first half and reached double figures for the second time this season, following a career-high 18 points in a loss to New Orleans on December 20.

Furphy also finished with seven rebounds and two assists against the Heat.

Miami had an extra rest day in the build-up after their game in Chicago on Thursday was postponed, and took to the floor for the first time since a loss to Minnesota.

They had averaged 120 points per game, but were restricted to double figures for just the fourth time this season.

Tyler Herro had 21 points, while Jaime Jaquez Jr had 16 off the bench on return, after missing two games with an ankle injury.

Despite their win, Indiana (8-31) still carry the NBA's worst record this season, while Miami (20-18) are seventh in the Eastern Conference.

The Pacers, who lost to Oklahoma City in last season's NBA Finals, could make it three wins in a row for the first time this season when they host Boston on Tuesday night (local time).

Elsewhere, Eastern Conference heavyweights Detroit and Boston both suffered surprise home defeats.

The short-handed Pistons were beaten 98-92 by the Los Angeles Clippers, who rallied behind Kawhi Leonard (26 points), John Collins (25) and James Harden (19).

The Clippers trailed by 19 points during the first half and 14 in the final quarter, but finished on a 28-8 run as Detroit turned the ball over 12 times in the decisive period.

Victor Wenbamyama scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half, including a game-sealing jumper with 19.2 seconds left, to lead San Antonio to a 100-95 victory over the Celtics.

De'Aaron Fox also finished with 21 points for the Spurs, while Derrick White (29) and Jaylen Brown (27) led Boston.

Six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell shone with 28 points as Cleveland took control in the second half to end Minnesota's four-game winning streak.

Mitchell landed four triples and the Cavaliers had five players score 20-plus points for the second time in franchise history on their way to a 146-134 victory.

Sam Merrill had 20 points and set a franchise record with at least five threes in four consecutive games.