The Pacers keep finding ways to win close games thanks to breakout performances, propelling them to a three-game win streak without their star point guard.
For the last three games, Haliburton has sat out due to a nagging back injury. In the big picture, it is the smart move not to rush him back to playing with the playoffs less than a month away. Indiana is, however, in a tight race in the middle of the Eastern Conference. With only two games separating the fourth through sixth seeds, the Pacers could not afford a streak of losses. In a string of wild finishes, three Pacers’ clutch performances willed them to victory.
Going up against Anthony Edwards and crew, without Haliburton, it was clear that someone needed to step up in a big way. That player last Tuesday night was Obi Toppin. Having eight of ten players score in double figures no doubt helped the Pacers to victory. Toppin’s 34 points included 4 threes in overtime and the game-winning shot, and were instrumental in putting the Blue and Gold over the line.
The next matchup of the season was against a dismantled Mavericks. Some might argue that this should have been an easy win with Luka being traded away and Kyrie out for the remainder of the season. Still, Dallas refused to go down without a fight. The Pacers found themselves down two points with the Timberwolves holding possession and under 30 seconds to the buzzer. A trap was set in a scramble, a steal was made, and Andrew Nembhard drained a crucial three to put Indiana up by one. From there, free throws sealed the victory 135-131. With Nembhard averaging just above ten points a game this season, scoring 22 and knocking down a crucial three was just what the Pacers needed.
Friday night’s contest against Brooklyn was not a pretty one, however, Indiana pulled out its second OT victory in just three games. This time Bennedict Mathurin is to thank for saving the day. 14 seconds left in regulation and the Pacers are down by three. Mathurin is fouled on a three-point jumper and proceeds to make all three free throws, sending the match into overtime. Six more points from Mathurin and a game-saving block by Myles Turner secured the win 105-99. Bennedict’s 28 points, three clutch free throws, and a career-high 16 rebounds topped off a wild stretch of games without Haliburton.
When previously going 0-4 in games without Haliburton, it was highly encouraging to see the Pacers win, especially in close games, without their go-to guy. Thanks to this stretch of three victories, the Pacers are now 6-1 in their last 7 games and closing in on the three-seed in the East. It is good to have Tyrese back in the lineup, but his absence showed the Pacers they have what it takes to win in less-than-ideal situations. Come playoff time these clutch performances will no doubt prove valuable should they find themselves in similar situations down the stretch.
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