The Indiana Pacers have progressed to the semi-finals of the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament after defeating the Boston Celtics 122-112.
Stud point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is in the conversation for MVP after his blistering start to the season, had another career night in the win.
Haliburton recorded his first ever triple double (26 points, 10 rebounds, 13 assists), but most importantly, converted a crucial go-ahead four-point play with the game tied at 105.
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That would put the Pacers up 109-105 with 1:33 left and it was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish in front of an packed out and amped up Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
“It is so loud. Can you tell how much these fans love their team?” Spero Dedes said in commentary when the Pacers went up by nine points to seal the game in the final minute.
The atmosphere inside the arena rivalled that of a game seven in a playoff series, indicating the In-Season Tournament will be here to stay.
For an explainer of the In-Season Tournament finals, click here!
TNT’s Ernie Johnson believes the NBA’s new brainchild has been a success in its inaugural year.
“To see that kind of emotion in an early December game was just amazing,” Johnson said during the post-match show.
“It’s like they were so excited to be on national television, because we don’t show the Pacers,” NBA great and TNT panellist Charles Barkley added.
“When young players get a nationally televised game, it’s a big deal, and we saw that tonight.”
For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum had 32 points and 12 rebounds while Jaylen Brown chipped in with 30.
In the semi-final, the Pacers will take on the winner of the New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks in Las Vegas on Saturday (AEDT).
The Kings are currently hosting the Pelicans in the second of the In-Season Tournament quarter finals.
NBA SCORES DECEMBER 5
Celtics 112 @ Pacers 122
Pelicans @ Kings (in progress)