Tyrese Haliburton was hotter than Heat

Pacers win in Miami

NBA: Indiana Pacers at Miami Heat

Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) looks to pas the ball as Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) and forward Jimmy Butler (22) trail on the play during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Jim Rassol/Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Table of Contents

Pacers Dominate Heat: Haliburton’s Big-Time Performance Leads the Way

The Indiana Pacers delivered one of their most impressive wins of the season, crushing the Miami Heat on their home court. Tyrese Haliburton was nothing short of exceptional, leading the team with a performance that will go down in the history books.

Haliburton’s stat line was mind-boggling: 33 points, 15 assists, and zero turnovers. This marks only the second time in NBA history that a player has achieved 30+ points, 15+ assists, and zero turnovers in a game - and both instances belong to Haliburton. His ability to control the game without a single turnover while maintaining such high offensive output is truly remarkable.

The young star set the tone early, scoring 16 points in the first quarter alone. His confidence was evident when he grabbed an offensive rebound off his own missed three-pointer and immediately knocked down another attempt. This level of assertiveness and shot-making ability kept the Heat’s defense on their heels all night.

Haliburton’s impact extended beyond his personal statistics. The Pacers as a team recorded 35 assists, their second-highest total of the season. When the Pacers reach 30 or more assists, they boast an impressive 12-2 record, highlighting the importance of their ball movement and team-oriented play.

Possession Battle

One of the key factors in the Pacers victory was their dominance in the possession battle. They forced 14 turnovers while committing only 6 themselves, creating additional scoring opportunities. The team also outrebounded the Heat, particularly on the offensive glass, leading to 21 more shot attempts than their opponents.

This advantage in possessions allowed the Pacers to maintain control throughout the game, even when the Heat made small runs to chip away at the lead. The ability to generate extra chances and limit mistakes proved crucial in securing the win.

For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pacers impressive victory over the Heat, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.

Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:

• Myles Turner’s strong performance against Bam Adebayo

• Jarace Walker’s continued improvement and impact off the bench

• The Pacers frontcourt depth and its importance in the win

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