INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 29 points and teamed up with T.J. McConnell to spur a third-quarter comeback, sending the Indiana Pacers past the Houston Rockets 132-129 on Tuesday night.
McConnell had 17 points and four assists as the Pacers won for the second time in three days. They’ve won nine straight in the series.
Jalen Green had 30 points to lead the Rockets, who have lost two straight. Dillon Brooks added 23 points and rookie Amen Thompson finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds and six assists as Houston played without starting guard Fred VanVleet.
Still, Houston seemed to be in control when it extended a 75-68 halftime lead to 85-75 early in the third.
But over the final 9:53 of the quarter, Indiana’s defense allowed just 14 points. Siakam and McConnell, meanwhile, combined for 17 of Indiana’s next 31 points in the quarter to give the Pacers a 106-99 lead.
Houston never fully recovered.
Indiana quickly extended the margin to 14 early in the fourth and the Rockets couldn’t get closer than seven until Alperen Sengun’s tip-in made it 129-124 with 1:13 to go.
Green’s 3 with 46 seconds to play cut the deficit to 130-127.
But two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton answered with a layup to seal the victory.
Haliburton looked more like his pre-injury self despite continuing to play on a minutes restriction as he works his way back from a left hamstring injury. He finished with 18 points and seven assists.
Houston coach Ime Udoka said before the game he doesn’t expect the injured VanVleet, a 2022 All-Star, to return to the lineup until closer to the All-Star break.
UP NEXT
Rockets: Continue their four-game road trip Friday night at Toronto.
Pacers: Host Golden State on Thursday night.
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