Tony East here, the host of the daily Locked On Pacers podcast, with your daily Locked On Pacers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pacers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Tyrese Haliburton looks like himself in Indiana Pacers win
Nov 25, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) after foul in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski/Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Tyrese Haliburton’s Stellar Performance Lifts Pacers Over Pelicans
The Indiana Pacers have been on a rollercoaster this season, but their recent victory over the New Orleans Pelicans showcased the brilliance of Tyrese Haliburton at his best. With the Pacers now standing at 8-10, Haliburton’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, reminiscent of his best games from last year. His 34-point game, highlighted by nine three-pointers, was a testament to his ability to dominate and lead the team to victory when he’s in rhythm.
Tyrese Haliburton: The Game Changer
Haliburton’s shooting was a revelation, especially considering his struggles from deep this season. His nine three-pointers matched the entire Pelicans team, underscoring his impact on the game. Beyond scoring, Haliburton’s playmaking was on full display with 13 assists, creating over half of the Pacers offense. His ability to navigate the New Orleans defense, find open teammates, and make clutch plays in the final minutes was crucial. The Pacers needed him to be exceptional, and he delivered, proving once again why he’s a cornerstone for the team.
Quenton Jackson and Myles Turner Step Up
While Haliburton was the star, Quenton Jackson and Myles Turner played pivotal roles. Jackson, on a two-way contract, has been a revelation. Tasked with defending top players like CJ McCollum, Jackson’s defensive prowess and timely shooting were vital. His four three-pointers came at crucial moments, stabilizing the Pacers when the game was tight. Jackson’s ability to adapt to a new role and excel is a testament to his growth and importance to the team.
Turner, despite dealing with a sore calf, showed resilience and determination. His second-half performance, especially in the fourth quarter, was instrumental. Turner’s defensive presence and scoring burst helped the Pacers maintain their lead and secure the win. His passion and leadership on the court were evident, making him a key figure in the Pacers success.
The Pacers victory over the Pelicans, though against a banged-up team, was a much-needed boost. With Haliburton leading the charge and contributions from players like Jackson and Turner, the team is finding its rhythm. The challenge now is to maintain this momentum and continue improving as the season progresses.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Tyrese Haliburton’s performance and the Pacers journey, tune into the Locked On Pacers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pacers Podcast:
- Quenton Jackson’s impressive transition to a new role
- Myles Turner’s resilience and leadership on the court
- Analysis of the Pacers recent performances and future prospects
- Insights into the team’s strategy and player dynamics
Giannis Antetokounmpo improves on greatness, again
Giannis, Damian Lillard and Brook Lopez lead the way for the Bucks in 2024
Our modern relationship with the concept of greatness is a strange thing. Certainly in NBA basketball, but even more broadly, we like to hold greatness up to its lack. Less readily do we accept greatness at face value, or allow for greatness to simply stand on its own. It needs a backdrop of failure, and maybe because of that, it is failure we’ve become better at discussing. When greatness persists, or proves to have staying power, it feels almost dull. We want greatness to come with persistent conflict, and we want our greats to prove it, again and again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a prime modern example.
Over the weekend, Antetokounmpo made history. He became the NBA athlete to record the most 30-point games in a decade, beating out the obvious candidates of Steph Curry and LeBron James. That’s over 262 games with 30-plus-points. So far this season, he’s been averaging 32.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, and shooting field goals at a 60.8% accurate clip. These numbers are staggering and yet, at a glance around discussion on the season, you’d think they were hum-drum.
Truth be told, conversation about the Bucks and Antetokounmpo seemed more engaged when both struggled early in the season. Those favourite, swirling questions of will-he-or-won’t-he be traded, or force a trade, rose with aplomb. A championship calibre team doing badly is always news, sure, but when its championship calibre superstar pushes through the struggles to virtually carry the team, we tend to turn our attention elsewhere.
Maybe it’s because the thing that’s given Antetokounmpo another gear this season — rediscovering the mid-range — is a part of the floor not as exciting as the three-point range teams like the Celtics are bombing from, but the bump has been drastic. Last season Antetokounmpo shot 35.1% from the mid-range and thus far this season he’s converting 47.8% of his mid-range attempts (of which he’s doubled, 2.4 to 4.3).
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview Emirates NBA Cup play continues this week — here’s what lies ahead for all teams. (NBA)
Roster Before the 2025 NBA Draft, get familiar with 10 international prospects. (ESPN)
Draft The Indiana Pacers are setting their sights on next year’s draft, aiming to bolster their roster with promising talent. Draft strategies and potential picks are being closely evaluated to enhance the team’s prospects. (8 Points 9 Seconds)
Analysis Pascal Siakam offers his perspective on Tyrese Haliburton’s early season struggles, providing a candid analysis and insights into the young guard’s performance. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s Fantasy Basketball Recap - Hamstrings Strike In Orlando
Nov 23, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) shoots during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters/Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action brought a whirlwind of performances, injuries, and strategic moves that could significantly impact your fantasy basketball lineup. Here are the major takeaways from the day, focusing on what’s most relevant for fantasy managers.
Injury Updates and Player Returns
- Devin Vassell is expected back on Wednesday, which is great news for those who have been patient with his knee issues. Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson is out for Utah, creating opportunities for players like Colin Sexton and Isaiah Collier to step up. Keep an eye on Johnny Juzang as a potential deep-league add.
- Gary Harris suffered a hamstring injury, which could open up more minutes for Cole Anthony and Anthony Black. With Jalen Suggs also dealing with a hamstring issue, these players could see increased roles.
Waiver Wire Trends
- Moussa Diabate has become a hot commodity following Grant Williams’ injury. While Diabate’s scoring is limited, his defensive stats make him a valuable short-term add.
- Malcolm Brogdon is worth considering for streaming, though his long-term value remains uncertain. Similarly, Ty Jerome had a standout performance, but his shooting percentages are unlikely to be sustainable.
- Naji Marshall and T.J. McConnell are sensible additions given the current absences in their respective teams. McConnell, in particular, could provide solid assists and steals with several key players out.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pacers podcasts. The Pacers beat the Pelicans as Tyrese Haliburton looks great Tyrese Haliburton looked like the player that appeared last year, raining in nine threes against the Pelicans in a much-needed win for the Pacers. Is he turning a corner? What ignited him during a key victory?
Back on track after win vs Wizards thanks to Moses Brown Moses Brown scored the Pacers first 8 points and was great when called about. How he led the team vs the Wizards was important as Indiana looked for some football.
Bucks crush Pacers, what gives? The Indiana Pacers were crushed by the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. What happened vs the Bucks? Host Tony East breaks it all down.
