Tyrese Haliburton, an All-Star player, scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Pacers, despite a challenging shooting night where he made only 6 out of 18 attempts.
In Indianapolis, Pascal Siakam led the way with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Aaron Nesmith added 16 points, helping the Indiana Pacers secure a 121-100 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night. Haliburton, alongside his backup T.J. McConnell who scored 13 points, played a significant role in this win. McConnell has consistently performed well, scoring in double digits 10 times in his last 17 games.
Indiana’s coach, Rick Carlisle, praised Siakam for his outstanding performance, highlighting his contributions on both offense and defense. Siakam’s effort was particularly notable in defense, marking it as his best defensive game.
Cam Thomas stood out for the Nets with 22 points and eight rebounds. However, the Nets struggled, especially in the paint where they were outscored 82-42. This performance was part of their first matchup of the season against the Pacers. The Nets also faced challenges with their shooting accuracy, turnovers, and a disappointing road trip record, falling to 1-4.
Brooklyn’s interim coach, Kevin Ollie, emphasized the difficulties in overcoming the Pacers’ dominance in the paint and their high turnover rate. The Pacers managed to turn the game around after trailing in the first quarter, eventually leading by 27 points in the fourth quarter. This win marked their seventh victory of the season by at least a 20-point margin.
Nesmith highlighted the team’s strategy to focus on getting to the paint to increase scoring opportunities. Despite the Nets’ previous success in visits to Indiana, they struggled in this game. Ollie pointed out the need for the team to engage in tougher play and avoid relying on isolation basketball, which proved ineffective in the second half.
The Pacers showcased a strong team performance, shooting 48% from the floor and winning the rebounding battle. Siakam emphasized his commitment to the team and winning, focusing on bringing energy and strong defense to every game.
Looking ahead, the Nets are set to face the San Antonio Spurs in Austin, Texas, while the Pacers will host the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pacers’ victory over the Nets, 121-100, reflects their strong team effort and strategic play.