INDIANA Pacers leaned on a scorching start to defeat San Antonio Spurs, 136-98, in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season game on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at the Accor Arena in France.
Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 28 points, including six three-point conversions, while Paskal Siakam added a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds as the Pacers moved up to 25-20 in the standings.
Andrew Nembhard contributed 15 markers, Myles Turner finished with 14 points, while Bennedict Mathurin, TJ McConnell, and Thomas Bryant ended with 13, 12, and 10, respectively, for Indiana.
The Pacers leaned on early hits from Nembhard, Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, and Turner for a 33-24 lead before maintaining the double-digit spread for a 65-50 halftime score.
The Spurs went on a huge run in the third period to take a 77-76 lead but the Pacers responded with consecutive triples from Haliburton to restore a 98-83 lead en route to a lopsided finish.
Harrison Barnes top-scored for the Spurs with 25 points, Victor Wembanyama added 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Stephon Castle and Chris Paul had 17 and 11 points, respectively, as they fell to a 20-23 record.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Timberwolves rode on the hot hands of Anthony Edwards to score a 133-104 victory over Denver Nuggets at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The former NBA top-overall pick finished with 34 points, including three outside conversions, to go with nine rebounds as the Timberwolves improved their standings to 24-21.
Julius Randle chipped in 21 markers, Rudy Gobert added a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid contributed 13 points each for the Timberwolves.
Jamal Murray top-scored for the Nuggets with 25 points, Nikola Jokic added a double-double of 20 points and 11 assists, while Russell Westbrook and Aaron Gordon had 13 each as the Nuggets dropped to 28-17./PN
BOX SCORE:
INDIANA 136 — Haliburton 28, Siakam 23, Nembhard 15, Turner 14, Mathurin 13, McConnell 12, Bryant 10, Nesmith 9, Toppin 7, Walker 3, Furphy 2, Sheppard 0, Dennis 0.
SAN ANTONIO 98 — Barnes 25, Wembanyama 20, Castle 17, Paul 11, Vassell 6, Jones 6, Johnson 4, Mumukelashvili 3, Champagnie 3, Sochan 2, Cissoko 1, Collins 0, Branham 0, Bassey 0, Wesley 0.
Quarterscores: 33-24, 65-50, 98-83, 136-98.
