On Wednesday night, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Toronto Raptors to improve their record to 33-24. This was a big win for the team as it got them back in the win column after their tough loss to the Denver Nuggets.
There were many Pacers whose performances stood out and ultimately led to the victory, but none were as notable as Tyrese Haliburton. In the win, the Wisconsin native recorded 33 points on 12-for-15 shooting, 11 assists, three rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Additionally, he only turned the ball over one time.
This was arguably Haliburton's best game of the season, which is a welcoming sign for the Pacers. He has played lights out since the All-Star break, and according to his recent comments, he is not done playing this level of basketball just yet.
Tyrese Haliburton is aiming to be more aggressive
After the win, Haliburton spoke about his approach in the second half of the season and made it clear that he wants to be aggressive on the floor. This is a big deal as Haliburton has the tendency of playing it safe and not taking over games when needed.
"We've played enough where there's been enough of a sample size that there's no secret that when I score the ball, we win games," Haliburton said. "I'm just trying to be aggressive, try to help us win games. That's all I really care about. Just trying to approach every day the right way."
Though he is a floor general and one of the best playmakers in the NBA, Haliburton's scoring is also essential to the Pacers' success. According to Statmuse, the Pacers are 19-2 when Haliburton scores at least 20 points in a game. On the flip side, they are 14-21 when he scores 19 or fewer points.
It is clear that Haliburton's increased scoring helps the Pacers win more games. If the Olympic gold medalist continues to have this mindset, it should only bode well for the team's success. This is crucial as the team looks to make a push ahead of the postseason.
As it stands, the Pacers own the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and are just 4.5 games behind the New York Knicks for the No. 3 seed. While securing home-court advantage is a real possibility for the Pacers, it is also important that they continue their winning trend. The Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons (who are in the midst of an eight-game winning streak) are both just one game behind the Pacers in the standings.
Fortunately for Indiana, they are looking destined for another solid playoff run this year. And if Haliburton continues to play the way he has been, the sky is the limit for the Pacers in the playoffs.