INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton posted 22 points and 10 assists to lead the Pacers to a 119-105 win over the Hornets on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers improved to 45-31, holding on to their lead for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They have already clinched a top-6 seed in the playoffs. The Hornets fell to 19-57.
Forward Aaron Nesmith added 16 points for the Pacers. Center Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam scored 15 each. Center Thomas Bryant added 13 points.
Here are three things that stood out.
Tyrese Haliburton has a new double-doubles streak
After failing to post a points-assists double-double against both the Wizards in last week's blowout and against the Thunder in Saturday's loss, Tyrese Haliburton posted his second straight in Wednesday's game and now has 14 in his last 16 games.
Haliburton scored eight points in the first quarter alone, hitting three of his first four shots and his first two 3s and stayed locked in from there. He finished with 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting including 4 of 6 from 3-point range with 10 assists, no turnovers, two blocks and two steals.
Aaron Nesmith helped the Pacers close it out
Nesmith took a while to find his shooting range Wednesday night and that was helpful for the Hornets trying to hang around. He was 1 of 4 from the floor in the first half, missing all three of his 2-point shots. He finally got a 3-pointer to fall in the third, but was still 2 of 6 from the floor with five points going into the fourth.
But Nesmith went on a tear both going to the rim and shooting from outside midway through the fourth quarter which helped them put the game away.
