Home Court Advantage Secured: Pacers Punch Ticket to First Round Playoffs

The Indiana Pacers secured home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-112 on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse."The guys have been working hard, and it's paid off," said Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who finished with a double-double of 23 points and 10 assists. "We're excited to be playing our best basketball going into the playoffs."Haliburton was one of seven Pacers players who scored in double figures on Thursday.The win gives the Pacers a chance to secure either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the East, pending the outcome of the Knicks' game against the Pistons. If the Knicks lose, the Pacers can become the No. 3 seed with a win over Orlando Magic on Friday night."We're just trying to finish strong," said Haliburton. "We want to go into the playoffs feeling good about ourselves and our game."The Pacers will wrap up their regular season schedule on Sunday afternoon against the Cavaliers in Cleveland.