Pacers say they didn't play their way in Game 3 loss to Knicks - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — After the Indiana Pacers blew a 20-point first-half lead — and chance for a 3-0 series advantage in the Eastern Conference finals — in their 106-100 loss to the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday night, All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton blamed himself for his team's struggles on offense in the second half.

«Just trying to get guys in the right positions,» Haliburton said when asked why he and his team slowed down from their usual up-tempo style in the second half. «I think down the stretch, a game like this comes down to one or two possessions, so just trying to execute the right way, get guys in the right spots. But yeah, it's definitely an area where I know when I watch film, I'm going to kick myself for it.

»I'm already thinking about it, kicking myself for it.… I think that's just part of it and I got to be better there. Honestly, I think a lot of our offensive struggles in the second half were due to me, so I got to be better there and I will be better in Game 4."

Haliburton's individual line was respectable — 20 points, 7 assists and 3 steals in 37 minutes — but the high-octane Pacers, who came into this game as the only team in these playoffs shooting 50% from the field and 40% from 3-point range, shot 44% overall, went 5-for-25 from 3-point range and scored only 42 points in the second half.

In fact, Indiana's 20 points in the fourth quarter was the total Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns scored in those 12 minutes.

That's why when Haliburton, forward Pascal Siakam and coach Rick Carlisle each spoke after the game, they echoed the same theme: The Pacers let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers by getting away from what makes them who they are.

«We got to stay playing our way,»