Where Tyrese Haliburton must improve heading into Game 3 of NBA Finals

For two straight games, the Pacers have been down double-digits at the half with Haliburton nowhere to be found. They need their best player to be aggressive early. The ESPN broadcast team and even former NBA legends noticed his mindset and how it needs to shift for the Pacers to win this series.

Haliburton is not playing at the same level we saw in the previous series. The scoring is taking a dip, but so is the passing. Heading into the Finals, Haliburton was averaging 9.7 assists per game. Throughout the first two games of the Finals, he is averaging just six. 

Furthermore, he is not getting to the free-throw line. He averaged 3.5 free-throw attempts per game in the first three series of the playoffs. Not only has that number dropped in this series, but Haliburton hasn't shot a single free throw.

His overall play is hurting the Pacers severely. He is struggling in every facet right now, while the Thunder are beginning to gain momentum. 

The Thunder do not have this problem with their star player. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took 18 shots in the first half of Game 1 while scoring 19 points. In Game 2, he scored 15 points on 11 shots in the first half. 

For Gilgeous-Alexander, there is an understanding of the moment and what the team needs from the opening tip. Haliburton has shown the opposite, which, to his credit, he acknowledged after Game 2.

The Pacers might be tied 1-1 heading back to Indiana, but Haliburton is not leading the charge from the start. He needs to set the tone and give his team the chance to fight without being in a deep hole heading into the second half. 

If Haliburton has another slow start, the Pacers could be facing some serious adversity for the entire series.