In a thrilling basketball game on Tuesday evening, the Indiana Pacers triumphed over the Houston Rockets with a final score of 115-102. Tyrese Haliburton was the standout performer for the Pacers, amassing 28 points along with matching his season-high of 15 assists. It was a crucial recovery victory for Indiana, which managed to regain control after squandering a substantial 17-point advantage in the third quarter.
Pascal Siakam contributed significantly to the Pacers’ win, adding 18 points, while Myles Turner chipped in with 16. The team’s performance helped them secure their sixth win in their last eight outings. Meanwhile, Alperen Sengun led the charge for the Rockets, scoring 25 points, and Tari Eason also put up a noteworthy effort with 16 points and 14 rebounds, although it wasn’t enough to break their current slump, having now lost three consecutive games.
The game took a dramatic turn late in the third quarter as Indiana was leading 90-73. The Rockets mounted an impressive comeback with a 15-0 run, closing the gap significantly. Houston even briefly took the lead at 96-95 following a layup by Amen Thompson early in the fourth quarter. However, Aaron Nesmith responded immediately for the Pacers with a crucial three-point play that launched an extensive 18-3 run, sealing the game for Indiana.
The Rockets are currently experiencing difficulties, having dropped eleven of their last sixteen games after boasting a promising 32-14 record at January’s end. Looking ahead, the Pacers face a challenging schedule where six out of their next seven games are on the road, including significant matches against Milwaukee. Amidst the tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference, both Indiana and Milwaukee remain closely locked in the standings.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred when Ben Sheppard netted a crucial three-pointer, marking his first basket of the night, halting the Rockets’ aggressive 15-0 run and restoring a five-point lead for the Pacers. In terms of individual performances, Haliburton achieved an impressive milestone by registering double-digit assists for the sixth consecutive game, lengthening his streak, after already leading the league in assists the previous season.
Next up, the Rockets are set to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night, whereas the Pacers will head to Atlanta for their next challenge on the same night.
