Tyreese Halliburton recorded an error-free triple-double to lead the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Indiana Pacers to the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament.
Indiana defeated the Boston Celtics 122-112 in the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament, a 2023-2024 NBA regular season game, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., on Friday (June 5).
The in-season tournament was introduced for the first time this season and is played in conjunction with regular season play with no additional games scheduled except for the Finals.
The Eastern and Western Conferences competed in six groups, with only eight teams, including Indiana, remaining in the tournament.
After defeating Boston, the Pacers will play the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks on Nov. 8 in the quarterfinals.
At 11-8, the Pacers improved their regular-season record to sixth in the East. Boston (15 wins), which lost for the fifth time, remained atop the East.
Halliburton was dominant in the win, finishing with 26 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, including five 3-pointers. On his way to a triple-double, Halliburton was steady and didn’t commit a single turnover.
Halliburton was especially focused in the fourth quarter, where he scored seven points and dished out six assists.
With the score tied at 105-105, he found Jaylen Brown at the top of the key with 1:33 to play and drained a three-pointer, drawing a foul on the other end to give Indiana the lead for good.
With Halliburton leading the offensive charge, the Indiana players were evenly matched. In addition to Halliburton, seven players scored in double figures, including shooter Buddy Hield (21 points) and center Myles Turner (17 points).
Indiana showed off its firepower on the night, hitting 19 of 40 from 3-point range. Boston was heavily outrebounded (56-41), but lost the perimeter battle to the Hoosiers as their three-point percentage fell below 30 percent.
A one-two punch from Boston’s ace Jayson Tatum with 32 points and Brown with 30 was enough to keep the game close.
In the Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings 127-117 to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals of the in-season tournament.
New Orleans will play the winner of the Los Angeles Lakers-Phoenix Suns game for a spot in the finals.
New Orleans ace Zion Williamson was held to 10 points, but Brandon Ingram exploded for 30 points to lead the team’s offense.
At 11-10, New Orleans sits in 10th place in the West. Sacramento (11-7) also remained in fourth place in the West. 안전놀이터
[5-day NBA standings].
Indiana 122-112 Boston
New Orleans 127-117 Sacramento