Tyrese Haliburton scores 27 to help Pacers reach .500 with a 126-108 victory over the Suns

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton scored 27 points and Myles Turner added 20 points, six rebounds and three blocks, leading the Indiana Pacers past the Phoenix Suns 126-108 on Saturday.

Haliburton also had eight assists and, for the second straight game, did not commit a turnover. Indiana has won three of its last four to even its overall record at 18-18. The Pacers also swept the two-game season series from Phoenix.

Kevin Durant led the Suns with 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Devin Booker had 20 points in the same venue he scored an arena-record 62 in his last trip to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in January 2024. Booker also had nine rebounds and nine assists.

The Pacers swung the game by breaking a 56-all halftime tie with the first five points of the second half and used a pivotal 40-point third quarter — their third-best quarter all season — to seize control. Indiana never trailed in the second half.

Suns: Phoenix continues to create consternation over what's wrong. Booker, Durant and Bradley Beal were supposed to form the nucleus of a title contender. Instead, they've lost seven of eight and 10 of 13, forcing coach Mike Budenholzer to continue waiting for career win No. 500.

Pacers: Indiana has finally started playing the way it envisioned over these past 11 games. Haliburton is in sync, the defense has improved and the Pacers have won eight times during that span to reach .500.

Indiana capped its big third quarter with a late 12-5 run that extended an eight-point lead to 96-82. Phoenix played catch-up the rest of the game.

Indiana had 35 assists on 46 baskets and only six turnovers while outrebounding the Suns 47-37.

Phoenix makes the second stop on a three-game trip Monday at Philadelphia, while the Pacers travel to Brooklyn on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Indiana Pacers guard Ben Sheppard (26) reaches for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn, top left, defends against Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) who shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) drives the ball toward the basket while defended by Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) and guard Monte Morris (23), right, attempt to block a shot by Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) makes a move along the baseline while being defended by Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) pulls in a pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Phoenix Suns center Mason Plumlee (22) reaches for a rebound against Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Indianapolis, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

The NFL's regular season is over after an eventful Week 18 that saw the Detroit Lions capture the No. 1 seed in the NFC while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos secured their places in the postseason field.

The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes are still a Super Bowl favorite despite losing to the Broncos on Sunday. The Chiefs played mostly backups in the regular-season finale after they had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC bracket.

Over in the NFC, the Lions beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-9 to grab the top seed, securing homefield advantage until the Super Bowl. The Vikings tumbled all the way to the No. 5 seed with the loss.

Here are some more things to watch as the postseason begins:

The 14-team bracket enters its fifth season after debuting during the 2020 season. Seven teams advance to the postseason from both the AFC and the NFC.

The four division winners in each conference earn the top four seeds, ranked by their records. The last three teams are all wild-card selections, also ranked by record.

The format means the No. 1 seed in each conference is very important because it guarantees a wild card-round bye and homefield advantage until the Super Bowl. For the other 12 teams in the opening round, the No. 7 seed travels to the No. 2 seed, No. 6 goes to No. 3 and No. 5 travels to No. 4.

(All odds via BetMGM Sportsbook)

AFC: No. 5 Chargers at No. 4 Texans, 4:30 p.m., CBS/Paramount+ (Chargers -3)

AFC: No. 6 Steelers at No. 3 Ravens, 8 p.m., Prime Video (Ravens -10)

AFC: No. 7 Broncos at No. 2 Bills, 1 p.m., CBS/Paramount+ (Bills -9)

NFC: No. 7 Packers at No. 2 Eagles, 4:30 p.m., Fox (Eagles -4.5)

NFC: No. 6 Commanders at No. 3 Buccaneers, 8 p.m., NBC/Peacock (Buccaneers -3)

NFC: No. 5 Vikings at No. 4 Rams, 8 p.m., ESPN/ABC (Vikings -1.5)

Jan. 18-19: Divisional Round. Two games on Saturday, two on Sunday.

Jan. 26: AFC and NFC Conference Championships.

Feb. 9: Super Bowl LIX at the Superdome in New Orleans.

The Lions are now the favorites to win the Super Bowl at +280. The Chiefs are right behind them at +350 while the Ravens are third at +600.

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AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams listens to Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)