The Indiana Pacers are up 2-0 in their first-round playoff matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, and they are in a good position to repeat last year's result and send their division rivals home early for the second consecutive year. There is still a lot of basketball left, and the series is far from over. However, the Pacers took care of business at home and have a good opportunity to take a commanding 3-0 series lead on Friday night.
After their conference finals appearance last year, the Pacers are aiming to go on another deep playoff run this season. If the Pacers want to have another successful postseason campaign, they will continue to rely on guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is the heartbeat of the team's fantastic offense. However, despite the Pacers' recent victories over the Bucks, a major Haliburton concern has become evident. Fortunately for the team, it is not a problem yet, but if Haliburton does not turn it around soon, the Pacers will be in a position that could be too difficult to get themselves out of.
Tyrese Haliburton has one major problem against the Bucks
Overall, Haliburton is enjoying a solid series against Milwaukee. He is facilitating the ball as well as he has all year, and he has turned the ball over just four times in nearly 70 on-court minutes. However, his efficiency has taken a big hit, and that is something Pacers fans will want to monitor the rest of the way.
In his first two games of the series against the Bucks, the Iowa State alum averaged 15.5 points while shooting 34.4% from the field and 17.6% from the three-point line. Haliburton does not need to be a top-tier scorer for the Pacers to succeed, but this is still something he must figure out. Fortunately for the Pacers, they have already proven they can win playoff games despite Haliburton's inefficiency. However, if they advance and take on a team like the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers, they are not likely to have the same type of success if Haliburton cannot turn it around.
It is a small sample size, and Haliburton still has time to work out his concerns. As it stands, there are few reasons for Pacers fans to be concerned about his play, especially because he is playing well in other aspects. However, Haliburton bringing his A-game will make the Pacers even more dangerous than they currently are. And if they want to shock the basketball world again and potentially go on an NBA Finals run, they need Haliburton to be the best version of himself that he can be, and this includes being as efficient a scorer as possible.