NEW YORK — Tyrese Haliburton delivered a standout performance, scoring 23 points, while Bennedict Mathurin added 20 as the Indiana Pacers triumphed over the Brooklyn Nets with a final score of 113-99 on Monday night.
Pascal Siakam contributed to the Pacers’ success with 19 points, and Obi Toppin chipped in another 11, helping the team secure their third consecutive win and their ninth victory in their last 12 games.
On the Nets’ side, Day’Ron Sharpe led with 16 points and 13 rebounds, supported by Tyrese Martin, who scored 15 points, and Noah Clowney, contributing 14. The Nets are currently struggling, having lost 10 of their last 13 games.
Indiana built a significant lead, going up by as much as 24 points during the third quarter, but Brooklyn made a push, finishing the period with a 12-0 run that narrowed the gap to 78-70.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Nets faced a 14-point deficit but managed to cut it down to 10. However, the Pacers quickly responded with a decisive 14-2 run, highlighted by a dunk and a 3-pointer from Toppin that extended their lead to 105-83 with 4:33 remaining in the game.
The Pacers exhibited strong shooting, boasting a 53% field goal percentage and a 41% mark from beyond the arc by halftime, leading 55-39 at the break. This performance marked the Nets’ lowest-scoring first half of the season.
In terms of pacers’ individual performances, Andrew Nembhard was the only starter to not reach double digits, ending the game with eight points on 3 of 8 shooting.
For the Nets, this game continued a trend, as their previous low for a first half this season was a disappointing 41 points against the San Antonio Spurs on December 27.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred during the Pacers’ 14-2 surge in the fourth quarter when Haliburton sank a 3-pointer followed by a brilliant pass to Mathurin for a dunk soon after.
Statistically, the Pacers finished the game shooting 50.6% from the field and an impressive 91.3% from the free-throw line, having hit 21 of their 23 attempts. In contrast, the Nets struggled from long range, managing only a 30.3% shooting percentage.
Looking ahead, the Pacers are set to host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, while the Nets will welcome the Detroit Pistons on the same night.
