Pacers soar past Hawks in a record-breaking win led by Tyrese Haliburton’s stellar performance. Excitement builds as the team eyes the next challenge.
In a dazzling display of teamwork and offensive prowess, the Indiana Pacers dominated the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, securing a resounding 150-116 victory and extending their winning streak to an impressive six games.
Tyrese Haliburton, the NBA assists leader with an average of 12.8 per game, played a pivotal role in the Pacers’ success, contributing 18 assists to the team’s franchise-record 50 assists for the night. Haliburton, who also added 10 points and eight rebounds in just over 25 minutes, showcased his exceptional playmaking skills and solidified his status as a key player for the Pacers.
Head coach Rick Carlisle praised the team’s unselfishness, highlighting the significance of achieving a franchise-record in assists. However, Carlisle also emphasized the fleeting nature of celebrations in the competitive NBA, urging the team to focus on their upcoming challenge against the Boston Celtics.
Indiana’s highest-scoring team, which reached the 150-point mark against the Hawks for the second time this season, displayed offensive prowess reminiscent of their earlier 157-152 victory in Atlanta on November 21. The Pacers now boast three games with 150 points this season, just one shy of tying the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers and 1978-79 San Antonio Spurs for the most in a season.
Myles Turner led the scoring for the Pacers with 27 points, while Bennedict Mathurin, Bruce Brown, and Aaron Nesmith contributed 18, 17, and 15 points, respectively. Turner praised the team’s camaraderie, citing a unique energy within the group that makes playing together enjoyable and productive.
Tyrese Haliburton’s performance continued to break records, extending his streak of 11 consecutive games with 10 or more assists – the longest in franchise history. He also secured his 10th game this season with at least 15 assists, a franchise record and the most by any player since Russell Westbrook in the 2020-21 season.
Haliburton attributed his success to the excellent partnership he has developed with Myles Turner, referring to their pick-and-roll dynamic as one of the best in the league.
On the opposing side, the Atlanta Hawks, led by Dejounte Murray with 30 points, struggled to find their rhythm. Hawks coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, admitting they did not perform at the level necessary to compete on the road against the red-hot Pacers. Snyder emphasized the need for urgency and better transition defense to prevent the Pacers from securing easy baskets.
With Andrew Nembhard sidelined for the second consecutive game due to back soreness, the Pacers demonstrated resilience and depth as they look ahead to their upcoming challenges in the competitive NBA landscape.
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