Tyrese Haliburton played quite ably through a strained calf on Thursday. The Indiana Pacers' superstar scored 14 points with only five assists, but that was all in a mere 23 minutes. Haliburton’s time was limited in part because of his calf, but also because the blowout did not need any added effort
No blowout tonight could send Haliburton to the bench, not even if the Oklahoma City Thunder are up 30 in the second half. This is a Game 7, after all.
My Tyrese Haliburton odds spotlight and NBA picks focus on a surprisingly reliable angle from Game 6. Tip comes at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 22.
Tyrese Haliburton player prop picks
- Best bet
Haliburton Over 2.5 threes
(+120 at bet365) - SGP pick
Haliburton Over 2.5 threes
Haliburton Under 4.5 rebounds
Haliburton Over 2.5 turnovers
(+550 at bet365)
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
Tyrese Haliburton best bet
Tyrese Haliburton Over 2.5 3-Pointers (+120 at bet365)
Tyrese Haliburton’s calf did not appear to impact his shooting on Thursday night, hitting 3 of 7 from deep in that blowout win. It made more sense than it may have seemed. Recent years have seen multiple players suffer lower-body injuries and improve their shots, effectively spending their practice time to shoot from a stationary position.
That was not exactly Haliburton, too short a span injured, but it should still be assumed he spent practices this week standing and shooting — not even jumping — more than going through anything involving motion.
The surprising part was that he attempted seven 3-pointers. Yes, he averaged 7.5 attempts in the first four games of the series, but he played at least 34 minutes in each. He played just 23 minutes in Game 6.
Perhaps Haliburton’s calf is encouraging shots from deep, less able to get separation on drives.
Every fourth-quarter game state tonight will warrant Haliburton shots. If the Pacers are down big, he will chuck to try to come back. If the game is tight, the ball will be in Haliburton’s hands. Note: His calf should be only better, Thursday’s light workload helping that cause.
The most clutch player this postseason will not shy away from the moment late, and he may be more inclined to shoot early, anyway.
Tyrese Haliburton same-game parlay
Tyrese Haliburton Over 2.5 3-Pointers
Tyrese Haliburton Under 4.5 rebounds
Tyrese Haliburton Over 2.5 turnovers
Do not read any of the following as knocking Haliburton. Playing with this calf injury is a massive risk, one he has acknowledged, and playing ably despite it warrants praise. Indiana is better with Haliburton on the court, even when he is limited.
But he is clearly limited. Taking seven of his 12 shots from deep spoke to that, just like he took four of his six shot attempts in Game 5 from long range. Haliburton cannot get the same push he usually does, and it also has him reluctant to try and crash the glass.
Rebounds require more impromptu movement than offensive drives. As the ball comes off the rim at a slightly unexpected angle, a player’s jump has to change instantly. Haliburton might simply not have that ability right now.
He will have the ability to turn over the ball. Again, that is not knocking Haliburton. That is a reality the Pacers have to live with against the Thunder.
In the first five games of this series, Haliburton averaged four turnovers, clearing this prop in each. Assume a few come tonight, simply as the cost of doing business against the NBA's best defense.
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