The Indiana Pacers defeated the Houston Rockets, 123-117, at Toyota Center on Tuesday night.

The first half was about as evenly matched as could have been hoped for, with a 33-33 tie after one giving way to a 67-64 halftime lead for the Rockets (15-13). However, the Pacers (15-14) gained the advantage and some valuable separation during a third quarter that they won by a 37-23 margin, and that, along with a 8-2 run over the final 1:50, gave them just enough to withstand a strong final period by Houston.

Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 33 points, adding 10 assists, six rebounds and one steal. Myles Turner delivered 18 points, five rebounds, one assist and two blocks. Jalen Smith furnished 12 points, eight boards, one assist, two blocks and one steal. Isaiah Jackson, Buddy Hield and Andrew Nembhard posted 11 points each, with Jackson adding eight boards and three blocks, Hield tallying five rebounds and five assists and Nembhard dishing out six dimes. Andrew Nesmith and Bennedict Mathurin provided 10 points apiece while compiling five and four rebounds, respectively.

Alperen Sengun paced the Rockets with a 30-point, 16-rebound double-double that included five assists and four steals. Fred VanVleet totaled 18 points, nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and one block. Tari Eason finished with 16 points, eight boards, one assist and two steals. Aaron Holiday offered 15 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jabari Smith registered 10 points, six boards, one steal and one block.

The Pacers remain on the road and visit the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, while the Rockets remain home and host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.