Game Rewind: Pacers 134, Rockets 125 (OT)

Thursday, March 9 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

It’s a good thing the scoreboard at Gainbridge Fieldhouse had a few days to cool down.

After putting up a season-high 143 points three days prior, the Indiana Pacers (30-37) posted a 134-125 overtime win against the Houston Rockets (15-51) on Thursday in Indianapolis.

Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton orchestrated the victory, scoring the team’s final 12 points in extra time en route to recording a team-high 29 points while also registering a career-high 19 assists. The 19 assists tied the fourth-most by an individual Pacer in a game in franchise history, trailing just Don Buse (20), Jalen Rose (20) and Jamaal Tinsley (23).

“It’s just part of my maturation as an NBA player, as the point guard of this organization,” Haliburton said. “I really love that. I love that expectation for me. If you told a little kid Tyrese that he’s expected to make game-winners, he’d be like ‘Let’s do it.’”

After leading for more than three and a half quarters, the Rockets used a 15-2 run to take a one-point, 110-109, lead for the first time in the game with 4:10 left in regulation.

With the Pacers up by three points, with four seconds remaining, Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, hit a fading 3-pointer from the right side of the arc for the Rockets to force extra minutes.

The Pacers opened overtime by going on a 7-0 run, thanks to four points by rookie Andrew Nembhard and a 3-pointer by Buddy Hield, before Haliburton supplied 12 straight points to put the game out of reach.

“He took over the game in the overtime,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of Haliburton. “He certainly has demonstrated that is what he’s about. He loves those moments very much – the way Reggie Miller loved those moments.”

Indiana has now won seven straight games against the Rockets, which is a series high.

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After Haliburton, center Myles Turner had 21 points, five rebounds and seven blocks, Jordan Nwora scored 18 points and Hield had 17 points and seven rebounds.

Smith topped the Rockets with 30 points and 12 rebounds, Jalen Green, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, finished with 24 points and Kenyon Martin Jr. totaled 23 points to lead the Rockets.

For most of the game, it looked like the Pacers were going to run away with it.

In the opening frame, the Pacers shot 58 percent from the field, including making half of their 3-point attempts, to build an early double-digit lead.

Both teams made six of their first nine shots to start the game, with the Pacers maintaining the edge at 14-13 with 7:11 on the clock, before Carlisle called a timeout.

Out of the mini break, Hield drained a shot from deep which spurred a 20-4 Blue & Gold run, and the team led 34-17 with 3:19 left in the first quarter. During that stretch, Turner converted a pair of and-ones, Hield hit two 3-pointers, Aaron Nesmith drained a trey and T.J. McConnell got a layup and three to go.

Despite all the positive momentum, Pacers standout rookie Bennnedict Mathurin was helped off the floor with 90 seconds left in the first quarter with a right ankle sprain. He did not return.

Regardless, the Pacers carried a 38-27 lead into the second quarter by hitting 14 of their 24 shot attempts (6-for-12 3-point).

McConnell and Chris Duarte each hit 3-pointers to keep the Blue & Gold offense rolling to start the second quarter before an 8-2 run a few minutes later pushed the Pacers lead to 52-37 with 5:52 left in the half.

Houston found its footing in the waning minutes of the second quarter, going on a 14-4 run from 4:56 to 1:12, on four points each by Martin Jr. and Alperen Sengun, to narrow the deficit to 62-52.

At intermission, the Pacers led 64-58.

The Pacers strung together a 11-4 run behind two 3-pointers by Hield and an and-one conversion by Turner, to lead 75-62 out of halftime.

While the Rockets were able to chip away, making it a five-point game with five minutes left in the third quarter, the Pacers were able to keep the visitors from making it a one-possession game.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Pacers led 98-91. Smith scored 13 points in the third quarter for the Rockets, going 7-for-8 from the free throw line to keep the visitors in it.

Like the second and third quarters, the Pacers’ first offensive bucket in the fourth was a 3-pointer, but this time by Nwora. Nwora followed up that bucket with another trey and a basket from Jalen Smith then extended the Pacers lead to 106-95 with 9:17 left in the game.

The Rockets responded with their big run, as Green made a 3-pointer and converted an and-one in the process, to put the visitors ahead for the first time. Both teams struggled to score in the final three minutes of regulation, but the Pacers came up clutch down the stretch.

Overall the Pacers made 48 of 100 shots (18-for-45 3-point) and the Rockets hit 49 of 107 (6-for-17 3-point). In the paint, the Pacers were outscored 82-58.

Indiana will play two straight games at the Detroit Pistons starting on Saturday.

The Pacers are 1-2 in overtime games this season.

Haliburton achieved his 31st double-double of the season.

The 82 points in the paint are the most allowed by the Pacers in a game this season.

Nesmith finished with a game-high +/- of +20.

There were two lead changes and two ties in the game.

Houston won the rebounding margin 58-42.

Nwora scored in double figures for a sixth straight game.

Turner’s seven blocks are the most by him in a game this season and one shy of tying his career-high in the stat category.

Houston’s six made 3-pointers are the second-fewest allowed by the Pacers in a game this season.

“It ain't pressure, it’s just basketball. Just understanding that guys expect you to make plays, and that’s what I’m here for.” – Haliburton on being relied on in close games

“There’s no such thing as assists if guys aren’t making shots. I’m just trying to share the wealth and get guys the ball. I’m just trying to play right.” – Haliburton on his 19 assists

“He’s just a super confident player and we all have a lot of belief in him.” – Turner on Halliburton's performance

“They had some good energy going. It was infectious, and they were able to kind of get themselves rolling. It happens from time to time, a team goes on a run. We were able to withstand it.” – Turner on Houston coming back

“When you step in between the lines, a lot goes out the window. They’re going to go out there and compete. There are no surprises in this league” – Turner on not underestimating any team

“Things started clicking when he got here. He got an elevated opportunity in a different situation. He does some very unique things for a guy that plays the four position.” – Carlisle on Nwora

“Ty can take over a game at any point in time, we all know that. He’s an All-Star for a reason.” – Jalen Smith on Halliburton's takeover in the waning minutes

“Obviously overtime makes or breaks teams. We wanted to win so bad, we were locked in and focused to the point we executed at a high ability.” – Jalen Smith on the win

“This team, we’ve been so together all season. Lately we’ve been figuring it out.” – Hield on the improved play as of late

“He’s our best player. Wherever he goes, we go. We will live and die with whatever shots he took at the end. I feel like any coach in the league would like to put the ball in his hands.” – Hield on Haliburton

Haliburton finished with a career-high 19 assists in the game. Just three Pacers players have recorded more assists in a game in franchise history: Don Buse (20), Jalen Rose (20) and Jamaal Tinsley (23).

The Pacers head to Detroit for two straight games at the Pistons. The first is on Saturday, March 11 at 7:00 PM ET.

The Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse to host Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, March 18 at 7:00 PM ET. Find Tickets >>