Tyrese Haliburton led the Indiana Pacers to a 128-119 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, securing their spot in the title match of the inaugural NBA in-season tournament. Haliburton scored 27 points and recorded 15 assists without a turnover, while Myles Turner contributed 26 points and 10 rebounds. The Pacers have remained undefeated in the tournament, defeating the Boston Celtics in the quarterfinals and now the reigning NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks.
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Despite being ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference regular-season standings, the Pacers have surprised many with their strong performance in the tournament. They have been averaging over 128 points per game and have shown resilience and determination in their games. Haliburton expressed his belief that the tournament was designed to showcase young teams like the Pacers and their ability to compete.
The game against the Bucks was a closely contested one, with 16 lead changes and seven of them occurring in the fourth quarter. The Bucks had a strong third quarter, outscoring the Pacers 43-28 and taking a 94-91 lead into the final period. However, the Pacers managed to make crucial stops and regain control of the game.
In the final minutes, Turner's put-back layup gave the Pacers a 115-112 lead, and Haliburton extended it with a driving layup and a step-back three-pointer. After hitting the three-pointer, Haliburton imitated Damian Lillard's famous "Dame Time" celebration, which Lillard respected and acknowledged.
The Pacers will now face the winner of the Western Conference semi-final between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans in the tournament final. This inaugural championship game is a historic moment for the Pacers, who have never won an NBA title. Haliburton emphasised that they came to win and not just to compete in a couple of games.
The NBA in-season tournament was introduced to add excitement to the early stages of the season, and it has provided the perfect platform for the Pacers to showcase their high-octane style of play. Despite being underestimated in terms of their title chances, the Pacers have proven themselves as a formidable team. Their success in the tournament has surprised many, and they are determined to make the most of this opportunity to compete for the championship.
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