NBA Game Notes (Jan. 3, 2024)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on January 3, 2024.

Pacers Beat Bucks (Again)

The Indiana Pacers outscored the Milwaukee Bucks 142-130, knocking off the Bucks for the fourth time in five games this season. The last time Indiana beat Milwaukee four times in a single season was 2013-14, when they went 4-0 versus their Central Division foe.

Tyrese Haliburton led the way for the Pacers, producing game highs of 31 points, 12 assists, and three blocks in 34 turnover-free minutes. Since the NBA began tracking individual turnovers in 1977-78, only one other player has recorded at least 30 points, 10 assists, and three blocks in a game without committing a turnover: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Feb. 13, 1980.

Haliburton has recorded at least 10 assists in each of his last 10 games, the longest such streak in franchise history. He’s recorded six straight 20-point, 10-assist games, also the longest such streak in franchise history.

Over his last seven games, Haliburton is averaging 25.6 PPG and 15.0 APG. He’s just the fourth player in NBA history to average at least 25 PPG and 15 APG over a seven-game span, joining Magic Johnson, Chris Paul, and Russell Westbrook.

Four other Pacers scored at least 15 points: Bennedict Mathurin (16 points, 6-9 field goals), Bruce Brown (15 points, 5-7 field goals), Myles Turner (15 points, 6-9 field goals), and Obi Toppin (15 points, team-high eight rebounds).

The Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo compiled team highs of 26 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. It’s the 149th game in which Antetokounmpo has been his team’s leader (either outright or tied) in points, rebounds, and assists. The only players in NBA history with more such games are LeBron James (231) and Nikola Jokic (153).

Bucks guard Damian Lillard scored 23 points, adding five assists and three steals. However, he struggled from the field for the second straight game, going 6-18 after a 3-16 effort Monday night. Teammate Khris Middleton tallied 19 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, shooting 7-13 from the floor with four 3-pointers made.