While the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns are on the verge of being swept out the 2024 NBA Playoffs, other lower-seeded teams that have put up more of a fight in their First Round series.
The Miami Heat are one such team, tying up their series against the top-seeded Boston Celtics in Game 2. Another team is the Dallas Mavericks, who have a 2-1 lead over the star-studded Los Angeles Clippers. The Indiana Pacers are yet another, taking a 2-1 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks after Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning floater in Game 3.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Fiery Response After First Playoff Game-Winner
Following the Game 3, Haliburton revealed his mindset as he raced up the court in the final seconds.
“I knew I was shooting no matter what,” Haliburton says, per SI’s Tony East.
“I knew I was shooting no matter what,” Haliburton says of his final shot. He rejected the screen when he saw Patrick Beverley turn his head, and he got to his spot.
— Tony East (@TonyREast) April 27, 2024
With 1.6 seconds remaining, Haliburton’s and-one effectively gave the Pacers the win. The Bucks still had one more attempt to tie the game up. They failed to get a good shot off after calling a timeout, 3-and-D wing Aaron Nesmith suffocating Bucks scorer Khris Middleton, who had 42 points on 16-28 shooting up to that point.
I’m HALI… THE AND-1 FLOATER FOR THE LEAD 🔥
Bucks ball with 1.6 seconds remaining on ESPN pic.twitter.com/WoLS03jD61
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2024
In Game 3, Haliburton had his first playoff game-winner and his first playoff triple-double, finishing the game with 18 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds. He became the fourth Pacers player to record a triple-double in the postseason. He’s the first player to accomplish the feat in six years.
Every player in @Pacers history to record a triple-double in the playoffs:
Tyrese Haliburton (tonight)
Victor Oladipo (2018)
Paul George (2013)
Mark Jackson (1998)#NBA | #BoomBaby pic.twitter.com/DuLVZys9ri— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) April 27, 2024
Haliburton didn’t shoot well in Game 3, going just 8-22 from the field and 1-12 from deep. However, he hit the most important shot.
Pacers Putting NBA on Notice?
Among the lower-seeded teams, the Pacers have had the most surprising amount of success.
The Heat are undermanned without Jimmy Butler, facing the only team to win at least 60 games this season. However, Miami has a knack for overcoming the odds. Despite their underdog status, they never enter a series being completely counted out. The Mavs may not have as many future Hall of Famers as the Clippers but they still likely have two in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Two of the best offensive players in NBA history, Dallas’ ability to build a staunch defense around them has paid dividends.
The Pacers have one of the most popular point guards in the game in Haliburton. Pascal Siakam is a two-time All-Star with championship experience. Their head coach, Rick Carlisle, led the Mavs to their only championship.
Nonetheless, they face a team with four established stars in Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Brook Lopez. Bobby Portis is now a two-time Sixth Man of the Year finalist. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers hasn’t been quite as successful as expected, either in Milwaukee or his two previous stops. However, he’s responsible for leading the Boston Celtics to their last NBA championship. He’s led his teams to the playoffs in all but one season since 2007-08.
The caveat is that the Bucks haven’t had Antetokounmpo all series. Middleton and Lillard’s injury statuses are in question as well. To that point, it’s hard to project whether Indiana will be able to make a deep run in the NBA Playoffs.
If the Pacers make it past the Bucks, they’ll face the winner of the First Round series between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.
