Indiana Pacers star, Tyrese Haliburton re-injured his hamstring in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Boston Celtics which led to a decimation as the Pacers will play games three and four in Indiana; however, with the definite absence of their superstar for game three and possibly game four, is it time for the bruised Indiana Pacers to wave the white flag?
How the Indiana Pacers Can Re-Adapt and Take Control of the Series
It’s no secret the Indiana Pacers have depth. After all, their talented roster is the main reason they were second in offensive rating in the entire league this year, behind only the Boston Celtics. Without Tyrese Haliburton’s expertise of being a significant difference maker, the Pacers are set to struggle indefinitely without a revamped game plan against the top team in the NBA.
Though the light shines down on Haliburton most of the time, Pascal Siakam has thrived in this year’s NBA Playoffs. Alongside Haliburton, Siakam has looked dominating at times. While he shouldn’t control the reigns of the offense in game three, the Boston Celtics could be in for a massive surprise given the tandem of Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. Two excellent pace players who have been hectic for Boston the past two games. In a very much must-win game for the Pacers, expect Pascal Siakam to give everything he has in his arsenal to avoid a 3-0 deficit.
Role-players to Pay Attention to in Tyrese Haliburton’s Absence
Going over the Indiana Pacers’ total depth, you’ll notice exactly how this team operates. Relying on shooting and pace for much of the season, the absence of Tyrese Haliburton will stall their offense as it did in the complete collapse of game two for them. While Pascal Siakam isn’t necessarily a guy you want to have the ball in total control for the entirety of the game, there are other options.
Glancing over their roster there aren’t exactly any names that pop out to you, but that’s precisely what makes a team like this so dangerous. Their front-court consists of reliable playmakers on both sides of the ball. Andrew Nembhard is expected to split minutes with veteran T.J. McConnell in hopes of keeping the pace set at maximum while receiving efficient minutes from the two.
Keep an eye on Obi Toppin as well. A sneaky slasher who has shown this season that he is more than capable of having a big game. If the opportunity prevails that he’s given the opportunity to play more minutes, expect the Indiana Pacers to decide it’s crucial to push the ball and slip into a less methodical offense.
Another player to look out for is mid-season trade acquisition, Doug McDermott. While his minutes have been cut during the Pacers’ post-season run, the team will be in search of a flamethrower-esque player to give them some leniency throughout the game. What better option than the veteran sharpshooter McDermott? Provided he’s given the opportunity to get good looks on his shots during the game, this could be exactly what the Pacers need to pull off an unexpected upset as their star looks to recover ahead of game four.
