The Pacers' Haliburton promises a bounce-back against the Knicks in Game 2

NEW YORK – Indiana Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton is expected to perform well in Wednesday's Game 2 after an uncharacteristically poor performance early in the second-round series against the New York Knicks.

Haliburton took just six shots, just one from inside the 3-point line, and scored six points as the Knicks rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 121-117 in Monday's game one.

It was his second-fewest attempts in a game this season, following a game in January when he left in the first half due to injury.

The Knicks' game plan called for denying him the ball at times, but there were a few moments where Haliburton appeared timid when shooting opportunities presented themselves. He had eight assists, three fewer than his NBA-leading average of 11 per game during the regular season, and four steals.

“I made a mistake in the build-up to the game … and it wasn't the right decision for me,” Haliburton said Tuesday after the team's practice. “I still have to be who I am, but yeah, I’ll just be better tomorrow.”

In a seven-minute conversation with the media, Haliburton said he was “getting better” on 13 different occasions – clearly the theme of preparation for Game 2. But Haliburton is battling back spasms and is still listed as questionable for Game 2 because of the injury report , when he joined the series. He plans to play, but the injury may affect him more than he lets on. His aggressiveness has noticeably decreased since his back, which he has had occasional problems with since high school, recently flared up.

“This time of year, everyone has something going on and they're working on it and doing everything they can to feel as good as they can,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “I am confident he will play, but there is cause for concern.”

Over the last five games, two-thirds of Haliburton's attempts have been 3-pointers, and he has made a total of seven free throws in seven playoff games. Carlisle said it was up to him to get Haliburton started, but the Pacers' offense was good enough to win Game 1 despite the team's franchise player struggling.

The challenge of dealing with poor performance in a high-stakes loss and the scrutiny that comes with it as a star are part of the process for Haliburton. He is playing in the playoffs for the first time in what has already been a successful season.

“[This] is all I've ever asked for. “I always wanted to play in the playoffs,” he said. “The world is not ending. We lost a game. I understand that tomorrow we have the opportunity to score another goal and go home 1-1, so I'm not pressing any panic button or alarm or anything like that.”