NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Rookie Bennedict Mathurin scored a career-high 32 points, Tyrese Haliburton added 26 and the Indiana Pacers beat the Brooklyn Nets 125-116 on Saturday night.
Mathurin, who had 27 points at Detroit on Oct. 22, made a career-best six of Indiana鈥檚 franchise-record 23 3-pointers
Indiana鈥檚 previous franchise record for 3s in a regular season game was 21 at home against Milwaukee on May 13, 2021.
鈥淓very time I step on the court, confidence is always going to be the same (whether) my shots are going in or not going in,鈥� Mathurin said. 鈥淭oday I felt I could have had a bigger impact coming off the bench and I was having a little juice, bringing a little juice to the game.鈥�
Isaiah Jackson had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Buddy Hield chipped in 17 for the Pacers.
Indiana, winners of two straight, improved to 3-4.
鈥淲hat these guys did in Washington last night, national tv game against a team that was 3-1, and then tonight against a team like Brooklyn that is loaded with superstars, we鈥檙e starting to understand how hard we have to play all the time,鈥� Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
Kyrie Irving scored 35 points on 13 for 22 shooting from the field for the struggling Nets, who fell to 1-5. Brooklyn鈥檚 defense has allowed 124.5 points per game during its current four-game skid.
鈥淲e鈥檙e in constant communication all the time, if it鈥檚 a scheduled meeting or not,鈥� Durant said. 鈥淚 think we all talk about what we need to do as a team every day. So, regardless if it鈥檚 after a loss or it鈥檚 looked at as a meeting, but we (are) always in constant dialogue about what we need to do as a group.鈥�
Irving after he appeared to show support to an antisemitic film two days ago. He said before the game that he believes in all religions. Brooklyn trailed 92-90 to start the four quarter before for Pacers went on a 13-5 run to take a 105-95 advantage with 8:34 left on Jackson's layup.
Kevin Durant then scored four straight points to cut the deficit 108-101 but reserve guard Chris Duarte鈥檚 3-pointer started a 6-0 run that extended the lead 114-101 with 5:39 left.
Mathurin helped Indiana out to a 63-62 halftime lead with 22 points. He shot 5 for 8 from the field, including 4 for 5 from long distance.
HOT STOVE
San Diego Padres All-Star right fielder Juan Soto took advantage of his visit to New York and attended the game.
HIT THE ROAD
Indiana has gone 2-2 during its five-game road trip. It鈥檚 their second longest stretch away from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season. The Pacers will play seven straight road games, all against Western Conference teams starting with a visit to Los Angeles to play the Clippers on Nov. 27. They finish it up with a Dec. 7 meeting at the Minnesota Timberwolves.
TIP INS:
Pacers: Mathurin previous career-high in 3-pointers made was five at Detroit on Oct. 22.
Nets: G Seth Curry made his season debut after recovering from arthroscopic left ankle surgery in May. He went scoreless in 18 minutes, missing five shots 鈥� all 3-pointers.
UP NEXT:
Pacers: Remain in New York to play Brooklyn.
Nets: Host Indiana on Monday night.
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The Associated Press
