. The best player on the Pacers, who are two wins from a championship after a 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the best player on the Fever, who also happens to be the brightest young star in the WNBA, are close friends. They don’t just attend each other’s games and send congratulatory messages on social media. No, the reigning king and queen of Indiana basketball go on double dates with their significant others and talk constantly about basketball and the pressures of superstardom. “The four of us hang out all the time,” Haliburton said. “She goes through a lot, as you know. There’s a lot of weight and eyes on her. Obviously there is on me as well, but hers are amplified times a million.”
Source: ESPN

Tim Cato @tim_cato
nembhard won a 20/80 ball, haliburton instant outlet, pascal sprinting the floor, that might be the quintessential pacers play, jeez – 11:08 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
This is the fourth time this postseason that Tyrese Haliburton has at least five made field goals and five assists in the first half. It happened twice against the Knicks. Indiana has won the previous three instances.
Haliburton has as many points and FGs at halftime as SGA – 10:04 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Tyrese Haliburton and TJ McConnell have combined for more assists (11) than the Thunder have as a team (10).
The Thunder also have more turnovers (11) than assists as well. – 9:53 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
64-60 Pacers lead at the half. Every time they looked to make a run, OKC would stay close. Mathurin with 14, Haliburton with 12 and 7.
Chet with 15-5. SGA with 12-4-3 – 9:48 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
The 2nd was the best quarter of the series for the Pacers: 40 points, +12. They head to the locker room leading 64-60.
Bench changed the game piling up 30 of their 64pts, including 14 from Mathurin.
Haliburton has done what they needed: 12pts, 3rebs, 7asts, 1b, 1s – 9:47 PM

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Rick Carlisle has played any Haliburton-related adjustments close to the chest. But buzz the last couple of days is that Indiana will prioritize getting Haliburton going early, with tweaks to the offense to help him do it. – 7:53 PM

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Pacers need more from Tyrese Haliburton in Game 3, but that’s more than simply scoring
Haliburton isn’t going to go out and jack up 25 shots Wednesday night — he hasn’t taken more than 23 in any game this season. But he’s got to shoot more than Game 2.
nbcsports.com/nba/news/pacer… – 7:54 PM

Mark Montieth @MarkMontieth
I expect Rick Carlisle to play Haliburton off the ball more in G3 to enable him to look to score more aggressively. Nembhard can handle more often and try to attack the lane. – 1:49 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Tyrese Haliburton on his noticeable limp after G2: “I’m fine. Really just a lower leg thing. I’ll leave it at that. I don’t think there’s anything more to elaborate. I feel fine and I’ll be ready to go for Game 3.” – 1:33 PM

Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Tyrese Haliburton “I’m fine. Really just a lower leg thing. I’ll leave it at that. I feel fine and I’ll be ready to go for Game 3.” – 1:00 PM

Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Tyrese Haliburton “point of attack they got more guys than most teams in the NBA that are high level… They are really connected on the defensive end…I think Coach Daigneault isn’t afraid to change coverages…Just keep watching film see where I can get better” – 12:59 PM

Rylan Stiles @Rylan_Stiles
Rick Carlisle on Tyrese Haliburton “at this time of year I don’t know that anyone is feeling perfect. He practice and went through everything. I know he has some discomfort, he feels it, but each day is getting better.” – 12:36 PM