At the Buzzer: R1G3 — Bucks 117, Pacers 101
After a strong first half, the Pacers unraveled in the third quarter and the Bucks found new life to pull within 2-1 in the playoff series.
How would the Pacers respond with a 2-0 series lead, heading on the road to face a desperate Bucks team? That was the big question the past two days — along with the noise surrounding the worthless “overrated” debate. The Pacers knew Milwaukee would come out ready, and that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo wouldn’t let his team go out quietly.
It was the Bucks who made the first adjustment, swapping Gary Trent Jr. into the starting five in place of Taurean Prince. That decision paid off, though the benefits didn’t show right away.
The game officials were Marc Davis, Ed Malloy, Justin Van Duyne, and Dedric Taylor (alternate).
Damian Lillard is no longer on the Bucks injury report — so he came out of Game 2, his first action in more than a month, very well. Tyler Smith (left ankle sprain) and Chris Livingston (personal reasons) were ruled out.
Sports books favored the Bucks by five points.
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🏀How it happened: The Pacers took an early lead, but both teams struggled offensively in the opening period. The first quarter featured six ties, eight lead changes, and some zone defense from the Bucks. It was all even at 26 after one.
Then the Pacers began to create some separation. Aaron Nesmith was terrific on both ends of the floor and made a noticeable impact. He spent significant time defending Antetokounmpo, along with Pascal Siakam. Nesmith scored 15 of his 18 points in the first half, the Pacers assisted on 18 of their 23 made field goals, and they went into halftime with a 57-47 lead.
But it was as if they got too comfortable. They lost all momentum during the intermission, and it looked like the moment might have been too big. The Bucks, who never led in Game 2, found their rhythm and then kept pouring it on. They opened the half on a 12-3 run as the two-man game of Antetokounmpo and Trent Jr. faced little resistance. That duo combined for 29 of the Bucks’ 39 points in the third quarter.
The Pacers, meanwhile, shot just 6 of 19 from the field—including 1 of 9 from beyond the arc—and were outscored by 21 in the quarter. It was an 11-point swing, from being up 10 to down 11 entering the fourth.
Things never turned around, and it was the Bucks’ night. They stretched their lead to as many as 22 points, and with more than four minutes remaining, the Pacers knew it was over. Substitutes headed to the scorer’s table. On to Game 4.
🏀What it means: The Bucks avoided a sweep and answered Indiana’s two home wins with one of their own. It’s now Pacers 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
🏀Turning point: The third quarter was the difference. Trent Jr. matched the Pacers’ output of 18 points as the Bucks had a 39-point quarter, leading Rick Carlisle to spend several timeouts. It was a 15-5 start to the quarter in just four minutes, then 17-6 close.
🏀Star of the game: Gary Trent Jr. — who finished with 37 points. It’s a new season-high and playoff career-high for the first-year Milwaukee player who spent the past four seasons in Toronto. Prince, who he replaced in the starting lineup, played only three minutes.
🏀Streaking: Antetokounmpo in three games: 36, 34, and 37 points. That should be considered a Pacers win; that’s what he averages. It was Trent Jr., who started just nine regular-season games, who made the difference.
🏀Stat(s) of note: The Pacers were outscored 70-44 in the third quarter.
After going 4 of 23 from range in the first half, the Bucks made 11 of 18 attempts in the second half — a big reason for their run.
The Pacers’ 13 turnovers were five more than they had in each of the first two games.
The Pacers are 7-0 all-time when leading 2-0 in a best-of-seven series.
🏀What’s next: Game 4 is on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET in Milwaukee. It’ll air on TNT and Fan Duel Sports Network Indiana. (Click here for the full game schedule)
Also: With Game 5 necessary, it will be Tuesday in Indy at 6 p.m. ET — and air on NBA TV, FDSN.
Other Notes
Siakam, the Pacers’ veteran and grown-up, led them with 28 points. Tyrese Haliburton recorded his third straight double-double with 14 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists — and they needed more from their All-Star guard.
Haliburton, a native of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, received boos to start the game. He wasn’t expecting a welcome homecoming. Later, he heard chants of “over-rated!”
You have to make 3s against the Bucks and the Pacers, Myles Turner did not. He finished with six points on 1-of-9 shooting, including 0 for 6 from deep. T.J. McConnell was scoreless (0/4) in 17 minutes. Just four Pacers reached double figures.
Lillard was a non-factor: 2 for 12, 1 of 8 from range, for seven points in 32 minutes.
4:45 3Q: Bennedict Mathurin was issued a technical foul for going up to Antetokounmpo and saying something before a foul shot. He lost his composure — and it was during a stretch when the game was getting away.
The Pacers wore their yellow Statement Edition uniforms for the first time this series after wearing it in every game last postseason — but wanting to be in their icy whites at home. (The Bucks were in green.)
It was the 18th meeting between these two teams over the last two seasons. The Bucks have a 4-3 edge this season.
In the stands: Nothing of note. Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Giannis’ older brother, was courtisde. But that’s it. And he was talking trash to Mathurin in the first half.
Official attendance: 17,942 — a sellout.
All fans in attendance received a rally towel at their seat, and they were encouraged to wear green to match the Bucks’ Icon uniforms.