INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers new rotation seems to be paying dividends. In their third game since switching up the starting lineup, the Pacers won their third straight game with a 140-126 victory over the shorthanded New York Knicks.

Tyrese Haliburton continues to produce MVP-type numbers finishing with 22 points and 23 assist. The All-Star guard joined elite company, becoming the third player every with back-to-back 20/20 games. John Stockton and Magic Johnson are the other players to achieve that feat.

Tyrese Haliburton's assist spree continues

One game after recording 20 assists in a win over the Chicago Bulls, Haliburton nearly matched his previous assist total in three quarters against the New York Knicks. Haliburton dished out 19 assists in three quarters. The All-Star guard finished with 22 points and 23 assists for the double-double. He finished one assist shy of setting the Pacers franchise record set by Jamaal Tinsley in 2001.

As a team, 40 of the Pacers 50 field goals were assisted on.

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Pacers pull away from shorthanded Knicks

An early afternoon trade sent Knicks guards R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors for forward OG Anunoby, forward Precious Achiuwa and guard Malachi Flynn. Trading a starter and a key rotation piece left the Knicks shorthanded against the Pacers.

The Knicks played with just three reserves before emptying the bench once the game was in hand. They needed 16-year veteran Taj Gibson to play 14 minutes, his second-highest total of the season. Guard Miles McBride got his first extended run in two weeks. All five starters played 30-plus minutes.

The short rotation led to a second-half collapse for the Knicks. The Pacers outscored the Knicks 41-30 in the third quarter. Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner combined for 23 points in the third. Haliburton added nine points and seven assists in the quarter.

Turner, Nesmith catch fire from deep

The Indiana Pacers tied a team record with 23 3-pointers against the Knicks.

Aaron Nesmith led the Pacers with seven 3-pointers. Myles Turner hit a season-high six 3-pointers against the Knicks. The six treys were the most in a single game from Turner since he hit eight against the Boston Celtics in February last season. Benedict Mathurin hit three 3s. Andrew Nembhard and Haliburton hit two each. Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith and Buddy Hield each hit one.

Turner led the Pacers with 28 points, making Isaiah Hartenstein pay for sagging off him on defense. December ends a stellar month for the big man. Saturday was Turner's fifth 20-point game this month.

Pacers defense comes back to Earth

The Pacers have made defense a priority after a post In-Season tournament swoon. Indiana clamped down on Chicago on Thursday, but the Knicks shot well in a losing effort.

The 126 points allowed were the most since a Dec. 16 loss to the Timberwolves. Four Knicks reached double figures. Donte DiVincenzo led New York with 38 points. As a team, New York shot 47% from the field and 45% from 3.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Knicks: Tyrese Haliburton sets assists record in victory