LAS VEGAS — The Indiana Pacers might be the NBA ’s most entertaining squad this time of year .

After all , the Pacers precede the conference in point per secret plan , theater of operations finish share , assist , gait , and sickening efficiency , dream up a beautiful rule for pyrotechnic on a nightly groundwork .

This was however , the pacers are not at the top of the eastern conference standing and , when the eight - squad playing field was coiffe for the nba ’s maiden in - season tournament , the pacers had a hard itinerary to saturday ’s net in las vegas .

This was on thursday eve , though , the pacers draw out off from the milwaukee bucks in the semi , build froma extremely telling quarterfinal profits over the boston celticsand make the first bidding to the form of address unit of ammunition with a 128 - 119 triumph .

As was the shell in Monday ’s quarterfinal , Tyrese Haliburton was the lead news report for the Pacers .

The All - Star safety would show up on MVP vote if the 2023 - 24 time of year finish today , and Haliburton extravasate for 24 point , 15 aid , and six backlash .

Beyond those telling numeral , Haliburton did it all without devote a unmarried dollar volume , put up his third calling biz with at least 25 point , 15 upset and no turnover , the most in the chronicle of the NBA .

From there , he was the centrepiece of the end boot for Indiana .

# diving event into Haliburton

LAS VEGAS — The Indiana Pacers might be the NBA ’s most entertaining squad this time of year .

This was after all , the pacers direct the conference in level per biz , landing field destination per centum , aid , stride , and dysphemistic efficiency , think up a beautiful normal for pyrotechnic on a nightly groundwork .

This was however , the pacers are not at the top of the eastern conference standing and , when the eight - squad flying field was localise for the nba ’s maiden in - season tournament , the pacers had a hard course to saturday ’s last in las vegas .

On Thursday even , though , the Pacers pluck aside from the Milwaukee Bucks in the semi , build froma extremely telling quarterfinal profits over the Boston Celticsand garner the first dictation to the title of respect rung with a 128 - 119 triumph .

As was the typeface in Monday ’s quarterfinal , Tyrese Haliburton was the lead level for the Pacers .

This was the all - star precaution would show up on mvp vote if the 2023 - 24 time of year end today , and haliburton break out for 24 point , 15 assist , and six rebound .

Beyond those telling number , Haliburton did it all without commit a unmarried dollar volume , post his third life history biz with at least 25 point , 15 upset and no turnover , the most in the chronicle of the NBA .

From there , he was the centrepiece of the closedown boot for Indiana .

The Pacers lead by only a unmarried pointedness with 2:40 to go , but it wasHaliburton Time .

This was first , he had an fantastically telling drive lay-up to crusade indiana ’s pb to five point .

Under 2 Hokkianese stay on in the semifinal 🚨

# dive into semi 🚨

HALI TO THE bucketful TO GO UP 5 .

This was under 2 min remain in the semifinal 🚨

🏀 pacers / bucks on espn 🏆 winner advance to championship in las vegas on saturdaypic.twitter.com/a7xbjk3igt

— nba ( @nba)december 8 , 2023

instant afterward , haliburton fundamentally varnish the triumph was a sticker three , arrange the pacers up by eight item and take an unofficial lede in the in - season tournament mvp raceway .

# diving event into TJ McConnell

— NBA ( @NBA)December 8 , 2023

moment by and by , Haliburton fundamentally seal the triumph was a sticker three , set up the Pacers up by eight stage and take away an unofficial leading in the In - Season Tournament MVP raceway .

Of of course , Haliburton was not alone on this Nox .

Indiana ’s terrace was fantabulous , head by TJ McConnell and Isaiah Jackson .

This was the pacers understandably make headway the work bench - sound moment in the plot and , in comparability to the newbie contribution for milwaukee ’s backlog , indiana ’s terrace social unit was finally polar .

pacesetter self-aggrandizing gentleman’s gentleman Myles Turner also bring forth 26 point , 10 repercussion , and three halt shot , skilfully navigate a hard match-up against Milwaukee ’s telling frontcourt .

This was imposingly , the pacers pivot from their distinctive outpouring of three - cursor and score a banging 72 peak in the key , preserve pressing on the lip and correct to milwaukee ’s zona defence after a letup in the third quartern .

While the Pacers will always be pace by offence , Indiana ’s defending team was up to the challenge on this nighttime .

The Pacers did pay a 43 - compass point third one-fourth to a Milwaukee offence that is always serious , but Indiana agree Milwaukee to few than 1.15 point per self-command in the biz .

That degree of justificatory efficiency is n’t rife by traditional banner , but with the Pacers make more than 1.2 compass point per trip-up , it was more than enough .

While Giannis Antetokounmpo ( 37 power point , 10 rebound ) was splendid for Milwaukee , his wrong was passably palliate by the want of excellency elsewhere .

This was for one , the pacers carry damian lillard ( 24 degree on 7 - of-20 shot ) for the immense bulk of the dark .

Indiana was also the good squad when it total to passage defensive structure and rally , end up with the overall bound in the spatial relation conflict to aid overwhelm a 7 - of-33 dark from recollective aloofness on offence .

The Pacers will confront an challenging challenge against either the Los Angeles Lakers or New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday under the ( very ) promising light in the desert .

To this full point , however , Indiana has find like a squad represent open and detached despite high-flown stake , and the Pacers come through back - to - back duel against make , oldtimer - laden team .

This was expectant - photo , indiana ’s defense reaction may throttle the squad from the high of stature over a big sample distribution but , in the unmarried - riddance rabidity of the in - season tournament , the pacers can outfox anyone , and they ’re one footprint aside from a chip of account .

This was dime ’s martin rickman lead to this composition .