INDIANAPOLIS — Pascal Siakam scored 26 points and Tyrese Haliburton posted 16 points and 12 assists in his return from lower back soreness to lead the Pacers to a 108-103 win over the Nets on Saturday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Pacers have won four straight and improved to 41-29, guaranteeing themselves at least a .500 record and increasing their lead over the Bucks for fourth place in the Eastern Conference to 1 1/2 games heading into Milwaukee’s 10 p.m. game against the Kings. The Nets fell to 23-48.

Center Myles Turner added 22 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Guard Bennedict Mathurin added 13 points and forward Obi Toppin had 10 points. Forward Trendon Watford led the Nets with 26 points and forward Cameron Johnson added 20.

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Here are three observations

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Tyrese Haliburton was aggressive early in his return

The Pacers were cautious with Haliburton’s minutes in his return after missing the past three games with a sore lower back. However, Haliburton seemed determined to push the pace while he was on the floor and also attacked off the dribble, getting downhill for buckets inside and around the paint and waiting a while before he started taking 3-pointers.

Haliburton scored 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting in the first quarter even though he missed both of his 3-point attempts. He hit a 10-foot jumper just inside the paint to draw a foul, a 17-footer outside of it, and a running hook shot, drawing contact for another three-point play. In the second quarter he started moving his game outside, hitting one of two 3-pointers to get to halftime with 13 points to go with five assists against zero turnovers.

Haliburton struggled to shoot in the second half but he finished with 16 points on 5-of-13 shooting including 1-of-6 from 3-point range, and added 12 assists and eight rebounds against two turnovers. This marks his 10th straight points-assists double-double.

Myles Turner went off

Haliburton tends to change the dynamic of Turner’s offense more than he affects any other player, so the veteran center was clearly pleased to have his point guard back.

Turner and his family had a scare before the game when his sister Mya had a medical issue and had to leave the arena for evaluation. But even after that, Turner stayed locked in and was sharp on both ends of the floor. He scored 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting, hitting on 5-of-10 3-pointers. He also grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots.

Pacers make it interesting with horrendous start to fourth

The Pacers appeared geared to finally win a game with ease after a wild week that included three overtime games and another decided in the game’s final seconds. They led 90-70 heading into the fourth quarter and appeared poised to cruise.

And they almost messed that up.

The Pacers made just one of their first 10 field goals and were outscored 19-2 to start the fourth period, allowing the Nets to get all the way back within one point. They turned it late but still let the Nets back in it one more time in the final minute with a turnover that led to a Watford 3-pointer that put the Nets within three points with 8.1 seconds to go put the Pacers put the game away at the free throw line. They finished the fourth quarter with just 18 points on 5-of-17 shooting and six turnovers.