The surging Indiana Pacers proceed a five-game homestand on Monday when the Minnesota Timberwolves go to Indianapolis for the second assembly between the groups in every week.
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Indiana started its four-game profitable streak on March 17 on the expense of Minnesota’s eight-game win streak. The Pacers gained a 132-130 extra time determination behind 34 factors and 10 rebounds from Obi Toppin, which set the tone for Indiana’s present stretch of success.
With a 108-103 defeat of Brooklyn on Saturday, the Pacers scored their fourth straight win by six factors or fewer. Indiana held a 20-point lead getting into the fourth quarter earlier than the Nets battled again to drag inside one possession.
Pascal Siakam, who completed with a game-high 26 factors, helped Indiana keep away from collapse with eight factors down the stretch.
The win over Brooklyn Indiana’s second in opposition to the Nets in as many video games after a 105-99 extra time contest on Thursday marked Tyrese Haliburton’s return to the lineup from decrease again soreness.
Haliburton missed the primary three video games of Indiana’s profitable streak, together with final week’s go to to Minnesota. The 2023-24 All-NBA guard completed with 16 factors and 12 assists on Saturday, together with an alley-oop cross to Toppin that the ahead flushed residence on a 360.
“Felt good for the majority of the game, so I’m thankful for that,” Haliburton stated. “My back’s had issues my whole life. We’ve worked really hard to try to get rid of them and do everything we can.”
Indiana hopes to have a wholesome Haliburton for its closing 12-game push to shut the common season. The Pacers narrowly maintain fourth place within the Japanese Convention and the ultimate seed with homecourt benefit for a playoff collection up one recreation over Milwaukee and a couple of 1/2 video games on Detroit.
Minnesota is equally locked in a decent closing push within the West with homecourt benefit in attain. Nonetheless, the Timberwolves discover themselves in eighth place by means of Saturday, simply three video games behind the fourth-place Los Angeles Lakers, 2 1/2 video games behind Memphis and a half-game behind Golden State.
After Indiana snapped Minnesota’s eight-game win streak, the Timberwolves dropped a stunning 119-115 determination to sputtering New Orleans on Wednesday. The crew rebounded with a 134-93 blowout of the Pelicans on Friday when Julius Randle’s 20 factors led seven Minnesota scorers in double figures.
“That’s when we’re at our best, when we’re confident and sharing the ball, everybody’s getting touches, everybody’s getting involved,” Randle stated in his postgame interview with FanDuel Sports activities Community.
The ability ahead averages 18.7 factors and 7 rebounds per recreation, second behind Anthony Edwards’ 27.5 factors and Rudy Gobert’s 10.3 boards.
Edwards, who ranks fourth in NBA scoring this season, posted 38 factors in final week’s assembly with Indiana regardless of capturing a dismal 1-for-11 from 3-point vary. A 40 % shooter from past the arc this season, Edwards has since rebounded with a mixed 7-of-17 effort from 3-point vary over Minnesota’s final two outings.
Edwards is the catalyst of a Timberwolves offense that shoots 38 % on 3-point makes an attempt, fifth within the NBA. Minnesota’s 15.2 made 3-pointers per recreation additionally rank fifth within the league.
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