As Tyrese Haliburton stood on the free throw line within the second quarter of Recreation 2 of the Indiana Pacers‘ second-round playoff collection 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 guide the Pacers to a 120-119 win and a 2-0 collection lead excessive seed within the Jap Convention.
“I am at peace with my recreation,” 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 the entire confidence on the earth to make these photographs.”
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 recreation for Haliburton, who has made a reputation for himself this postseason after clearly being enormously underestimated by his friends.
Haliburton has proven that in high-pressure moments on the most important of levels, he is the antithesis of that dreaded one-word moniker that is now haunting him.
In these moments, he is a star.
In reality, this was the second time this postseason that Haliburton helped the Pacers overcome a 20-point deficit by making a game-winning shot.
In Recreation 5 of the Pacers’ first-round collection 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 guide his crew to a 119-118 win, advancing them to the Jap convention semifinals.
After that recreation, 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 crew 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 had 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 had been closely favored to achieve the Jap convention finals, misplaced each of their video games on their dwelling court docket, a surprising collapse for a crew 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, much like how they overcame a seven-point deficit with 40 seconds left in time beyond regulation in Recreation 5 in opposition to the Bucks.
The Pacers are proving they’ll by no means be counted out, ending with six gamers in double-figures behind a whole crew effort wherein 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, “Now we have sufficient expertise in there to go get Recreation 3.”
As for the Pacers, they’re exhibiting 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 giggle.
“That one was sudden,” Haliburton mentioned. “I did not know we had beef. However yeah, good for them. That got here out of nowhere. I feel now that that label is there, that is how it should be each time we play any person. Each time we’re on the highway, it is most likely 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 at the moment are turning into his signature phrase.
“Overrate that,” he mentioned.
Melissa Rohlin is an NBA author for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand coated the league for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Instances, the Bay Space Information Group and the San Antonio Specific-Information. Comply with her on Twitter @melissarohlin.
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