Heat resume homestand against Pacers

Miami captured its third consecutive division title after handing the rival Washington Wizards an 85-82 setback on Wednesday in South Beach. Alonzo Mourning, starting in place of Shaquille O’Neal, stuffed home the go-ahead points and then came up with a blocked shot in the final seconds.

Mourning ended with nine points and five blocked shots and was in the lineup for O’Neal, who was late getting back to Miami after his grandfather’s funeral on Tuesday. Antoine Walker had 19 points and Dwyane Wade added 16 for the Heat, who won for the fourth time in six games.

The Heat, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, will also host the Boston Celtics on the homestand, and are 26-13 at AmericanAirlines Arena this season.

In injury news for the Heat, O’Neal (personal) is probable for Friday’s game against Indiana, while forward Udonis Haslem (groin) is questionable.

Meanwhile, the Pacers have won three of their last four games and will wrap up a three-game road trip this evening in South Beach.

In Wednesday’s 104-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, Mike Dunleavy poured in 25 points and kept the struggling Pacers in the hunt for a 10th consecutive playoff berth.

Danny Granger scored 18 points and tallied 10 assists for the Pacers, who are 1-1 on the trip and 13-26 away from Conseco Fieldhouse this season. They are also just a game behind the Orlando Magic for the eighth spot in the East. Jermaine O’Neal had 16 points and nine rebounds against the Bucks.

In injury news for Indiana, guard Jamaal Tinsley (elbow) is questionable against Miami. Tinsley has missed the past four games and is averaging 13.0 points and 6.9 assists through 70 games this season.

Friday’s game between Miami and Indiana is the fourth and final meeting of the regular season. The Pacers lead the series, 2-1, and have won four of six and 16 of the previous 19 meetings.

Indiana has also won six of its last nine trips to South Beach.