Haliburton's offensive firepower was once again validated.
In this game between the Pacers and the Heat, the first thing that caught the eye was Haliburton's solid offensive output. He scored 44 points in the game, shooting 3-of-6 from three-point range, and a whopping 673% two-point shooting. This is already on par with the level of the Warriors' ace Curry, which shows how accurate Haliburton's shooting skills are. Not only that, but he also made 10 key assists and played a huge role in organizing the attack.
Haliburton has become the poster child for the league's top scorer and playmaker. He averages 25 per gameNine points, three-pointers and assists are equally impressive. Under his leadership, the Pacers excelled at the kick-off and fast-break, ranking first in the league in overall offensive efficiency. This also confirms that Haliburton's ball control and passing ability have been perfected.
In the face of the powerhouse Heat, Haliburton also played normally. He contributed 13 points and 3 assists in the first quarter, and scored 33 points and 5 assists by the end of the third quarter. Haliburton was the backbone of the Pacers on the offensive end for most of the game, and he was also a headache for opponents on the defensive end.
Butler had an all-around outburst.
The Heat won in the end, and Butler's performance also contributed to it. He finished with 36 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists on 9-of-18 shooting, 0-of-0 three-pointers and 18-of-20 free throws. Butler had been flat and even slumped in the early stages of the season, but this one he finally found his form.
At the end of the third quarter, the Heat fell behind for a while, and Butler stepped up. In the third quarter alone, he scored 16 points and 7 rebounds to help the Heat close the score. Butler's stable performance at critical moments also shows the power of veterans. Neck and neck with Haliburton, the two can be said to be the leaders of each other, becoming the pillars of their respective teams.
The rookie exploded into a Heat Wonderman.
Another highlight of the Heat was the performance of rookie Harkes. He scored just two points in the first half and 22 in the second half, including 12 in the fourth quarter. The rookie stepped up at a critical moment and was a sight to behold.
Hawks finished with 24 points and five rebounds on 8-of-13 shooting, including 2-of-3 three-point shooting. What's even more exciting is that this has surpassed the record for the most points in a single game of his career. A rookie who explodes against a strong opponent is a testament to his potential. Harkes' performance also gives hope for the future of the Heat.