As Tyrese Haliburton stood on the free throw line within the second quarter of Sport 2 of the Indiana Pacers‘ second-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, followers at Rocket Home taunted him by chanting “overrated,” referring to the guard not too long ago being voted probably the most overrated participant within the league by his friends in a ballot by The Athletic.
Even Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell deemed that to be over-the-line, gesturing to his personal followers to cease repeating that four-syllable phrase.
However seems Haliburton did not want anybody to stay up for him.
With 1.1 seconds left and the Cavaliers forward, 119-117, Haliburton made a 25-foot 3-pointer to steer the Pacers to a 120-119 win and a 2-0 sequence lead excessive seed within the Japanese Convention.
“I am at peace with my sport,” mentioned Haliburton, who had 19 factors, 11 of which he scored within the fourth quarter, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. “Understanding that I am trusting these moments, I’ve all the confidence on the earth to make these pictures.”
It was a spectacular come-from-behind win for the Pacers, who trailed by as a lot as 20 factors and entered the fourth quarter down by 14 factors, 98-84. And it was yet one more assertion sport for Haliburton, who has made a reputation for himself this postseason after clearly being vastly underestimated by his friends.
Haliburton has proven that in high-pressure moments on the largest of phases, he is the antithesis of that dreaded one-word moniker that is now haunting him.
In these moments, he is a star.
Actually, this was the second time this postseason that Haliburton helped the Pacers overcome a 20-point deficit by making a game-winning shot.
In Sport 5 of the Pacers’ first-round sequence in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks, Haliburton crossed over Giannis Antetokounmpo and made a layup with 1.3 seconds left in time beyond regulation to steer his group to a 119-118 win, advancing them to the Japanese convention semifinals.
After that sport, Haliburton posted two phrases on X: “Overrate THAT.”
Haliburton’s father, John, was so hyped after that second that he stormed onto the court docket waving a towel and swearing at Antetokounmpo. John was subsequently banished from attending Pacers video games by the group for “the foreseeable future.”
On Tuesday, Haliburton performed spoiler to Mitchell’s unbelievable 48-point, nine-assist, five-rebound and four-steal efficiency on an evening when the shorthanded Cavaliers have been with out injured starters Evan Mobley (left ankle) and Darius Garland (left large toe), in addition to reserve De’Andre Hunter (proper thumb).
The Cavaliers, who have been closely favored to achieve the Japanese convention finals, misplaced each of their video games on their residence court docket, a shocking collapse for a group that opened its season with a 15-0 document and closed it with 64 wins.
The Pacers overcame a seven-point deficit with 57.1 seconds left, just like how they overcame a seven-point deficit with 40 seconds left in time beyond regulation in Sport 5 in opposition to the Bucks.
The Pacers are proving they will by no means be counted out, ending with six gamers in double-figures behind a whole group effort by which Haliburton was as soon as once more the hero.
In the meantime, the Cavaliers’ season is now in jeopardy, with Video games 3 and 4 in Indiana on Friday and Sunday.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson known as this a “powerful blow,” earlier than including, “We’ve sufficient expertise in there to go get Sport 3.”
As for the Pacers, they’re displaying the world that they may’ve been underrated. In the meantime, their “overrated” star is proving that giving him white board materials is a really harmful technique.
Haliburton was caught off guard when Cavaliers followers began mocking him, however he had the ultimate chortle.
“That one was surprising,” Haliburton mentioned. “I did not know we had beef. However yeah, good for them. That got here out of nowhere. I believe now that that label is there, that is how it may be each time we play any person. Each time we’re on the highway, it is in all probability going to comply with me – till the subsequent ballot comes out.
“After which we’ll see if I am primary once more.”
Earlier than Haliburton left the rostrum, he added two phrases, which are actually changing into his signature phrase.
“Overrate that,” he mentioned.
Melissa Rohlin is an NBA author for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand lined the league for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Instances, the Bay Space Information Group and the San Antonio Categorical-Information. Comply with her on Twitter @melissarohlin.
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