The outfit is gorgeous, but if you lose, what’s the point of wearing nice clothes?
After overcoming a sluggish start to defeat the Kings 127-117 in Sacramento, the New Orleans Pelicans also guaranteed their berth in Thursday’s semifinals in Las Vegas.
In Indianapolis, with less than two minutes remaining, the Pacers put together a 9-0 scoring run to take control of a closely contested game. Haliburton finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists.
After defeating the East-leading Celtics, the Pacers—who finished sixth in the Eastern Conference regular-season standings—will play either the Milwaukee Bucks or the New York Knicks in the semifinals.
Haliburton stated that the Pacers will be prepared for either game when the Bucks visit the New York Knicks in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Haliburton declared, “We’re a young, hungry group and we want to win every night.” Thus, while we’re happy to be there, we’re not taking it for granted. Our goal is to triumph.”
The crowd of more than 16,000 people at Gainbridge Fieldhouse cheered as seven Pacers players scored in double figures, led by Buddy Hield, who finished with 21 points.
The playoff-style energy in the arena, which Haliburton described as “crаzy,” was exactly what the NBA was seeking to create when it introduced the in-season tournament: excitement for the first part of a long season.
“It’s amazing,” Haliburton exclaimed.
In the second half, Boston was unable to contain the potent Pacers offense, as Jayson Tatum scored 32 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown chipped in with 30 points and nine boards. The Celtics were dominant inside the first half.
After outscoring Indiana 32–14 in the paint and 34–19 on rebounds in the first half, Boston led 55–48 at the intermission.
In the second half, the Pacers reversed the roles. Haliburton scored eight points in the first four minutes of the third quarter after being limited to only seven points in the first half.
18 turnovers, six of which came in the third quarter when the Pacers momentarily extended their advantage to 11, according to Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, proved to be the Celtics’ undoing.
“When you turn the ball over you just let them get out in transition,” he stated.
Even yet, with 1:33 remaining, Indiana delivered the game-winning blоw, tying the score at 105-105 in a contest that saw 16 lead changes.
Powers of Ingram The PelicansStep-back three-pointer by Haliburton earned a foul, and he made the free throw to give the Pacers a two-point lead.
Before the Celtics could answer, Hield Һit a three-pointer and Aaron Nesmith scored a dunk, and the Pacers managed to hang on.
The Pelicans in Sacramento gave the Kings their first loss of the playoffs after battling back from a 15-point first-quarter deficit to lead 69-61 at the break and never trail again.
Six New Orleans players scored in double figures, led by Herbert Jones’ 23 points and Brandon Ingram’s 30, while Zion Williamson, the top player for the Pels, had a relatively quiet night with just 10 points.With 30 points, De’Aaron Fox led the Kings. Sacramento, who had won all four of their group stage games, was led by Domantas Sabonis, who recorded a triple-double of 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
The Pelicans will take on the victor of the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns quarterfinal on Tuesday.
The finalists will compete for the first NBA Cup and a prize money of $500,000 per player for the winning team in the title game, which takes place on Saturday Las Vegas.