The in-season tournament game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Indiana Pacers was a scoring clinic throughout. It was the highest-scoring regulation-time game in 32 years, as fans witnessed 309 points being scored in just 48 minutes. Indiana?s Tyrese Haliburton and Atlanta?s Trae Young had a scoring duel for the ages, with each putting on a show for the crowd. Eventually, Tyrese Haliburton and Co. came out on top with an astonishing 157-152 victory.
The two superstars? electric performance got mixed reactions from the NBA World as some blamed the bad defense for this historic score sheet, while others praised the players? scoring ability.
Fans react to Tyrese Haliburton and Trae Young?s scoring fest
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Trae Young and Tyrese Haliburton played in one of the most historic games this season. The two young superstars combined for 75 points during their in-season tournament encounter, leading to one of the highest-scoring games in league history with 157-152. This became the highest-scoring regulation-time game in 32 years.
309 points between the Pacers and Hawks.
They went over the highest total in 32 years ? @ESPNBet pic.twitter.com/gnamWt8VRS
? NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 22, 2023
That led to mixed reactions from the NBA world, as many fans blamed the bad defense of both teams and pointed it out on social media. Even sportswriter Bill Simmons could not believe what was happening during the Hawks-Pacers game.
GENERIC HAWKS-PACERS WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING TWEET
? Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) November 22, 2023
Fans berated the defense, with one fan saying, ?There?s no defence here.? Others followed suit.
There?s no defence here
? Blessing (@Blessin08201200) November 22, 2023
There?s a reason why the over/under was 252!!! These two teams don?t defend at all!
? Mark A.Kern II (@Markkern111) November 22, 2023
But some fans were ecstatic with Trae Young and Tyrese Haliburton?s sensational scoring performance and appreciated them for putting on a show.
oh lemme tune in pic.twitter.com/gzCaWdwHFu
? Jamar Hinds?? (@jamarbh) November 22, 2023
Elite hoops being played
? JalenJohnsonMuse (@JalenJmuse) November 22, 2023
The reason behind the Hawks-Pacers’ historic final score
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We cannot pinpoint tonight?s historic game between Indiana and Atlanta for one reason. There are several aspects of what led to the 157-152 final score. First and foremost is the bad defense of both teams. The Indiana Pacers have the third-worst defensive rating in the league with 123.8. The Atlanta Hawks are not far behind, as they have the 7th worst defensive rating with 117.9. That means these are two of the worst defensive teams in the league and that led to a lot of points being scored on both ends.
Every player on the floor was having a good night. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers in scoring with 37 points, and Trae Young did the same for his team with 38 points of his own. But many more players had an incredible scoring night. A total of 13 players scored in double digits, and 7 players apart from Young and Haliburton scored more than 15 points. That hardly ever happens in an NBA game. Whatever the reason, fans will be grateful that they got to witness history in the making, and it was not a one-sided affair.
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