INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton dismissed any issues over his damage standing heading into Recreation 3 of the NBA Finals, acknowledging after apply on Tuesday that he was coping with “a decrease leg factor” however that he felt high-quality and wouldn’t be hampered in any manner for Recreation 3.
“I do not assume there’s something extra to elaborate,” Haliburton stated. “I really feel high-quality and I will be able to go for Recreation 3.”
Haliburton walked with a limp as he exited his postgame information convention after scoring 17 factors in Recreation 2, a 123-107 loss in Oklahoma Metropolis on Sunday night time. At apply on Tuesday, Haliburton had his proper ankle taped, however in keeping with coach Rick Carlisle, the Pacers star guard was not restricted on the court docket.
“I do know he has some discomfort,” Carlisle stated Tuesday. “He feels it. However every day it is getting higher. I do not assume you are going to hear him making an enormous deal out of it.
“That is the time of yr the place it simply does not get any higher than this. The environment, the curiosity, the chance, coming again and being at dwelling, I imply, there’s simply a lot to be enthusiastic about. We have a pair guys which are just below the climate; I do not assume something goes to maintain these guys from taking part in within the recreation.”
As a substitute of dwelling on any potential damage, Haliburton was far more targeted on his want for enhancements getting into Recreation 3. He’s averaging 15.5 factors, 6.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists on 50% taking pictures thus far on this collection, because of back-to-back robust fourth quarters. He acknowledged after Sunday’s recreation that he wanted to be higher within the first half of video games to stop the Pacers from falling behind by double digits — a job simpler stated than achieved in opposition to the Thunder protection.
“They’re actually related on the defensive finish,” Haliburton stated. “I really feel like they combine up coverages. Coach [Mark] Daigneault is not afraid to do issues on the fly. He does not do something that is like very conventional.
“They’ve actually achieved that every one yr. I simply really feel like they’re prepared to combine issues up. The largest factor is simply personnel. Their personnel is completely different than all over the place else.”
Additional defensive consideration has been a theme all through the postseason from opposing groups attempting to get the ball out of Haliburton’s arms, however Carlisle famous there was one main distinction with the Thunder.
“The distinction is Oklahoma has extra individuals to throw at a terrific participant,” Carlisle stated. “We have gone via these conditions many instances, not solely through the playoffs, however through the common season, not simply this season however prior seasons. We’ll have to regulate and create higher conditions. We’ll should be higher.”
For Haliburton, getting higher begins with reviewing movie. He has developed right into a meticulous movie watcher over the previous few seasons, which has helped him and the Pacers make changes from recreation to recreation.
Indiana has not dropped back-to-back video games since March 8-10.
“Enjoying two video games in opposition to these guys is de facto good,” Haliburton stated. “It offers me extra movie to look at, see the place I could be higher. I really feel like I have never been nice by any means the primary two video games. I am simply attempting to take what I can to arrange me for Recreation 3, simply attempting to be one of the best model of myself.”
