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Indiana Pacers dominated the Dallas Mavericks in a thrilling match that ended 134-127 on Monday night. Myles Turner showcased a stellar performance, achieving his season’s best with 30 points and 11 rebounds, and crossing the 8,000 career points milestone. Alongside Turner, Tyrese Haliburton, who managed to score an impressive 25 points and 12 assists, also displayed an exceptional performance.
Mavericks Attempt a Comeback
The Mavericks, however, didn’t go down without a fight. They managed to trim down a 10-point lag to a mere five with only 1:47 remaining on the clock. However, Haliburton dashed their hopes with a pull-up 17-footer just 50 seconds before the end. Despite a commendable 34-point and 15-assist performance by Luka Doncic, the Mavericks had to settle with a split home back-to-back.
Pacers’ 3-Point Prowess and Key Players
Contributing notably to Indiana’s victory, Pascal Siakam scored 23 points. The Pacers, who started the game without their power forward Isaiah Jackson due to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury, showed no signs of weakness. They maintained their average of hitting 11.5 out of 33.0 on 3-pointers, landing 7 of 9 in the first period and establishing a 13-point lead. They finished strong with 13 of 32.
Mavericks Struggle with Injuries
The Mavericks were not at their full strength either. Dereck Lively II was side-lined due to a shoulder sprain, and Maxi Kleber missed his fifth consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.
Crucial Game Moment
The game was balanced at 116-116 with 5:37 remaining, when Andrew Nembhard put Indiana back in the lead with a finger-roll basket. The Mavericks’ subsequent four possessions resulted in three 3-point misses by Klay Thompson and Doncic, a missed jumper by Irving, and a 24-second violation.
Upcoming Games
Pacers’ coach Rick Carlisle, who has a 5-2 record against the Mavericks since becoming Indiana’s coach in 2021, will lead his team against Orlando on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will take on Chicago in the fourth game of their five-game homestand.
