On Tuesday night, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 115-114, thanks to a clutch four-point play by Tyrese Haliburton. With this victory, the Pacers, Bucks, and Detroit Pistons are in a three-way tie for the No. 4 seed in the East. Whichever team pulls away will secure homecourt advantage, which could go a long way in the playoffs.
What made this victory so impactful for Haliburton and the Pacers is not just that they defeated the Bucks in what many considered a must-win game. Instead, it was how they won the game that stood out and reminded the basketball world why they remain legitimate playoff threats this year.
Tyrese Haliburton has the clutch factor
Last season, Haliburton and the Pacers made a name for themselves by exceeding expectations and rising to the occasion. It did not matter who they were up against, they were a threat to steal a victory from anybody. This notion is confirmed given how well Haliburton does in the clutch, as fans saw in the Pacers' victory against Milwaukee.
In clutch time this season (games that are within five or fewer points within the last five minutes), Haliburton has scored 71 total points. This is good for 21st-best in the NBA. Additionally, he is shooting 46.2% from the field and 41.4% from the three-point line in the clutch. When the lights are at their brightest, Haliburton and the Pacers flourish. This will only bode well for them this year as they look to make another deep playoff run.
For much of the season, the basketball world seemingly forgot about the Pacers. Heading into the year, almost nobody predicted them to replicate their playoff success from last year, even though they gave the eventual champion Boston Celtics their toughest battle of the entire postseason. Furthermore, despite the Pacers having a red-hot January and eventually climbing up to the No. 4 seed in the East, nobody gave them their flowers on a national level.
The Pacers may not be as dominant as a team like the Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. However, they show up when it matters and are a feared playoff opponent for this reason. Additionally, their playstyle wears opponents out, which will prove important and beneficial to them in a seven-game series.
Indiana deserves to be recognized as a legitimate playoff threat and contender. After their victory over Milwaukee, the basketball world will have no choice but to give them their recognition now.