“It’s a lot of boxscore watchers” – Tyrese Haliburton calls out fans for backlash tied to his ‘unorthodox’ way of playing

Tyrese Haliburton has spoken on his controversial jump shot. The Indiana Pacers stunned the OKC Thunder in Game 1 on Thursday on the road. It was a close game, with the Thunder holding the lead for the majority of the matchup.

However, Haliburton knocked down a jumper with 0.3 seconds left, lifting the Pacers to a 111-110 win. Ahead of Sunday’s Game 2, he answered a few questions related to the series.

During the press conference, a reporter asked Haliburton for his thoughts on his style of play. He appreciated the question and used it as an opportunity to slam fans who have been criticizing his shooting form.

"It's unorthodox," Haliburton said on Saturday. "My jumper, the way it looks. It 's always been criticized coming into the NBA. I think that I was honestly a big part of it and sometimes I have an effect on the game that isn't necessarily the godly box score numbers. The way the game is digested by the fans sometimes. I think it's a lot of boxscore watchers."

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While many continue to criticize Haliburton's shooting form, he has been effective with it. He has the best field goal percentage in a single season since the NBA started tracking play-by-play records in 1996-97.

Haliburton has made 13 of his 15 game-tying or game-winning shots in the fourth quarter or overtime this season.

He is averaging 18.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 9.5 assists in the playoffs. If Haliburton continues to deliver at an elite level, he could be named NBA Finals MVP award should the Pacers win the championship.

"Taking a day at a time": Tyrese Haliburton reveals the secret to the Pacers' road game victories in these playoffs

The Indiana Pacers have stunned many fans after winning almost every road game in these playoffs. When a reporter asked Tyrese Haliburton about being aware of the importance of winning road games, he alluded to the Pacers' approach each time.

"You just try to be as present as you can," Haliburton said (02:10). "You are trying to take it one day at a time and that's how we have approached every playoff series that we have been in as a group."

Game 2 will be on Sunday at Paycom Center, with Haliburton and Indiana looking to take a 2-0 series lead.

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Avi Shravan

Avi Shravan's first year of college was the year he discovered his passion for basketball and the NBA. He has been an ardent fan of the sport ever since, from waking up early to cover games to watching pundit discussions, he does it all.

Avi is a big fan of Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks and Anthony Edwards from the Minnesota Timberwolves and firmly believes that the young star is the next big thing in the NBA.

Avi graduated in Mass Communication and Journalism, further enhancing his skills as a journalist and a writer. In his spare time when he is not writing, you can find him playing video games, watching anime, or reading a book he randomly picked at a bookstore.

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