Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers chasing bounce back in Game 4 against Cleveland Cavaliers

INDIANA – In some circles, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was perceived as a no-show both during and after his team’s loss in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 9.

First off, he created little noise on the court by scoring just four points on two-of-eight shooting during the fourth-seeded Pacers’ 126-104 setback to the top-seeded Cavaliers.

Afterwards, he was noticeably absent in any place inhabited by a reporter.

Haliburton, who addressed that situation on May 10, will look to have more of an impact on May 11 (May 12, Singapore time) when the Pacers host the Cavaliers in Game 4 in Indianapolis.

Indiana hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Yet Cleveland are 3-0 on the road in the play-offs – and they are winning by an average of 38 points in those games.

Haliburton held court with reporters on May 10, telling them that he was not made available by the league following Game 3. As for how he was feeling now?

“The sun came up this morning,” he said. “It’s unfortunate. Didn’t have a very good performance last night. (It’s) more film for me to look at, more stuff to figure out. It’s all part of the process.”

It was a humbling performance by Haliburton, who had been the star of Indiana’s show in their previous three games.

The All-Star guard made a driving layup in the waning moments of the Pacers’ series-clinching win over the Milwaukee Bucks to cap a 26-point night. He then collected 22 points and 13 assists in the series opener versus Cleveland before draining a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining to give Indiana a 120-119 victory on May 6.

While Haliburton struggled on May 9, Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell turned in what head coach Kenny Atkinson labelled as a “masterful” performance.

“I don’t use that word hardly ever,” the 57-year-old said.

“He was masterful in the way he controlled the game and not passing, making the right decision, defending. Probably for me, his best performance of the year. I don’t know what the numbers look like, but he really played with a great kind of mindset, great head on his shoulders, super high IQ.”

The numbers looked like this for Mitchell in Game 3 – 43 points on 14-for-29 shooting from the floor and 10 of 14 from the free-throw line. The six-time All-Star also had nine rebounds and made five three-pointers after going two-for-18 from beyond the arc in the previous two games.

Mitchell was intent on making sure his team will not squander a big lead for the second straight game.

“We let one slip away at home (the Game 2 loss) in a similar fashion. So, for me, couldn’t let it happen again,” he said.

What is more important is Mitchell had help in the form of Max Strus and Jarrett Allen as well as the returns of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and Darius Garland.

Strus and Allen combined for 39 points and 19 rebounds on May 9, while Mobley added 18 and 13, respectively, in his return from a one-game absence due to a sprained left ankle.

Garland, on the other hand, struggled with both his body and foul trouble in his return from a four-game absence due to a sprained left toe. He finished with 10 points while labouring through the pain.

“Y’all don’t understand what I’m going through,” he said.

“I mean, everybody has their opinion. I’m going out there and playing basketball. Everybody has their nicks and bruises around this time. So, going out and trying to win the series.” REUTERS