Pacers ride scorching third quarter to win over Timberwolves

Obi Toppin and Tyrese Haliburton each made three three-pointers in the third quarter as the Pacers shot 9-for-14 from behind the arc and scored 41 points. They went into the 4th quarter with a 22-point lead and cruised to a 119-103 win.

On March 17, Toppin again caught fire against the Wolves, making four three-pointers in OT, including the game-winner. While Toppin shoots 36.4 percent overall on three-pointers, making 1.3 per game, he's 13-for-19 in two games against Minnesota this season.

All of Haliburton's successful threes came in the third quarter, as he finished 3-for-7 from deep. He had 24 points and 11 assists, his 11th straight double-double. Haliburton has missed six games in March due to injuries, but since his streak began, he's averaged 20.8 points and 12.1 assists. He's only committed 12 turnovers in those 11 games, while racking up 27 steals.

But beyond the unbelievable assist-to-turnover numbers, it's the return of Haliburton's three-point shooting that's making the Pacers so deadly. Since Jan. 1, Haliburton has made 43.6 percent of his three-pointers, making 3.1 per game. In games where Haliburton plays, the Pacers are 24-7 in 2025.

The only knock on the Pacers' three-point shooting is their volume. They're the 8th-best three-point shooting team by percentage, but take the 9th-fewest threes.

If there's a lesson to be learned from beating the Timberwolves and their stout defense twice in eight days, it's that the Pacers should let it fly from deep more often. Even if Toppin won't get to torment Minnesota again until next season.