Tyrese Haliburton scored 30 points in the Indiana Pacers' three-game win over the Toronto Raptors.

With last night's win over the Toronto Raptors, the Indiana Pacers have won three in a row – something they hadn't done before the All-Star break this season. Their consistent play held them back. But in a dominant win north of the border on Tuesday, the Pacers showed professionalism and maturity in defeating a Raptors team that had lost twice earlier this campaign.

All was not pretty for the blue and gold. Their efforts fizzled early in the game, with Toronto quickly jumping out to a 12-point lead. The Pacers threw the ball around the gym and gave up too many offensive rebounds, which led to them falling behind.

But their offense has been spectacular over the last three quarters — scoring 115 points in that stretch — and their defense has stepped up. It took a while to get going, but Indiana had enough to win despite a poor first quarter.

“It's disappointing how we started,” Pacers guard TJ McConnell said of his team during an interview. Bally Sports Indiana broadcast of the game. McConnell changed the tenor of the action in the first half with his energy level.

The Pacers hit 16 three-pointers and dished out 33 assists in the win. 15 offensive rebounds gave them more scoring opportunities, and when combined with just eight turnovers, Indiana had few chances to get into a rhythm.

They did it and still control their own destiny for a postseason berth. They will be hoping to repeat that performance in the last two games and they will be showing it all.

Tyrese Haliburton scored

Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton finished with 30 points, his first 30 in three months. The last time he reached 30+ points before a season-ending injury, he showed his old offensive level on Tuesday.

Haliburton scored at least 30 points for the ninth time this season. In seven of the first nine, he knocked down at least five three-pointers. On Tuesday night, he buried only three. His interior arc play stood out against the Raptors.

The two-time All-Star made seven two-pointers and attempted 10 free throws. He reached the charity stripe for the second time this season in 10 attempts, and he was accurate around the basket. Toronto couldn't stop him.

“One day at a time,” Haliburton said in a postseason interview about his and the Pacers' mentality for the rest of the season. Bally Sports Indiana distribution. He has been playing much better lately.

In his last 10 games, Halliburton is averaging 19.4 points and 8.8 assists per game. He shot over 40% from deep at that distance. As the Pacers try to clinch a postseason berth, their star is returning to form.

The Pacers' slow start almost proved costly

There have been slow starts for the Pacers this season, and Tuesday was as bad as any of them. They fell behind 13-2 in the first 3.5 minutes of action and struggled to contain rookie Javon Freeman-Liberty, who scored 14 points for the Raptors in the first frame.

Toronto's first-quarter highlight came when they made it 35-23 with 1:03 left in the period. They were rolling and Indiana was looking thin. The guests could not shoot well, constantly turned the ball over, did not defend well, hit the glass. It was a rough scene for the blue and gold.

They rallied and took the lead into halftime, but their lead was only one point. They still had work to do. Indiana shut out the Raptors, but with the right energy level and early focus, it would have been a much more comfortable win.

“When we decide to grow up. It's all about maturity. They're beating us to 50/50 balls, they're rebounding every time,” McConnell said of what sparked the Pacers' second-quarter turnaround. That kind of mental and energy loss is out of the question for a team facing postseason relegation.

Slow first quarters were the headline for the blue and gold about a month ago. It used to go to games for them. They realized what was wrong and later got better, but they need to avoid old habits. There is too much at stake for an ill-advised game.

Obi Toppin ascended

Obi Toppin had a great performance off the bench for the blue and gold. The young forward scored 23 points, his third of the season, and did so with a slew of dynamic buckets.

Toppin just kept dunking. Toronto couldn't keep him out of the lane or in transition, and he punished their poor defense. He added three outside tackles on seven attempts — a complete offense for the 26-year-old.

“I thought he was great tonight,” Haliburton said of Toppin. They added to the transition basket in the second half.

Toppin is averaging 16 points per game over his last five games and is shooting over 60% from the field during that stretch. His ability to finish both inside and outside the arc was a challenge for defenses.

The Pacers need role players down the stretch of the season if they want to make a full run to the playoffs. Toppin is on a mission.

Indiana plays the Cavaliers next Friday night in Cleveland.

• Tyrese Haliburton set the Indiana Pacers franchise single-season assist record on a night the Pacers needed. CLICK HERE.
• The Pacers needed to come out clutch and win against the Miami Heat to keep their playoff hopes alive. They did it.
  CLICK HERE.
• Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle passed Red Auerbach for 12th place in all-time NBA coaching wins. CLICK HERE.
• The Indiana Pacers overcame a slow start to beat the Toronto Raptors on the road. CLICK HERE.
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