Tyrese Haliburton discusses the Pacers’ Game 2 win over the Cavaliers
Tyrese Haliburton scored 19 points and hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to give the Pacers a 120-119 win in Game 2 of the East semis
The Tyrese Haliburton story didn’t end when he dispatched the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Oshkosh native delivered in another big spot May 6 to give his Indiana Pacers a 2-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, with both victories coming on the road. After he rebounded his own missed free throw with 12.4 seconds to go, Haliburton’s three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left gave his team a 120-119 victory.
The shot avenged “overrated” chants from the Cleveland faithful, referencing an article in The Athletic that surveyed players anonymously and ranked him the league’s most overrated player.
The Pacers rallied from 20 points down to win the game and have a commanding advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the top seed.
Just as when the Pacers rallied from seven points down with 40 seconds left in overtime to stun the Bucks in the Game 5 clincher in the first round — with the game-winner on a Haliburton drive to the bucket — Indiana faced a seven-point deficit with 48 seconds to play.
Haliburton has already made himself a bit of a heel in his home state, having eliminated the Bucks in back-to-back postseasons. His father, John, briefly confronted Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court after the Game 5 clincher, leading to a decision keeping John from future playoff games. Haliburton also said the Milwaukee Brewers nixed the idea of bringing him in for a ceremonial first pitch.
Haliburton finished the Game 2 win with 19 points and nine rebounds. He had 22 points with 13 assists and three blocks in a 121-112 win over Cleveland in Game 1 on May 4.