At the Buzzer: R1G4 — Pacers 129, Bucks 103
For the second time in four games, the Pacers led the entire way to take a commanding 3-1 lead of the series with Game 5 in Indianapolis.
With the Pacers holding a 2-1 lead on the Bucks entering Sunday’s nightcap, Game 4 will lead to a significant shift in the series. Win, and they’re in full control with a chance to close it out on Tuesday. Lose, and the Bucks have new life and it becomes a best-of-three series.
This was a late one, tipping off at 9:42 p.m. ET — the fourth and final playoff game on Sunday.
The game officials were Tony Brothers, Mark Lindsay, Karl Lane, Dedric Taylor (alternate)
Pacers were without sixth man Bennedict Mathurin. He was added to the injury report on Saturday with an abdominal contusion, suffered in Game 3 when he absorbed a knee from Giannis Antetokounmpo when he contested a layup — and then wanting the play to be reviewed.
The Bucks were down Tyler Smith (left ankle sprain), who hasn’t played in the series.
Sports books favored the Bucks by four points. Basically the difference for being at home.
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🏀How it happened: The Pacers were quick out of the gates, taking a 13-7 early lead and forcing the Bucks to call the first timeout. Myles Turner was responsible for nine of their first 19 points, making his first four shots and finishing 9 of 13 from the field.
With Mathurin out, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle elected to go with second-year forward Jarace Walker as the first sub off the bench — and he produced. Ben Sheppard also contributed in his 22 minutes of action.
The tenor of the game — and the series — shifted with 5:57 left in the first quarter when Damian Lillard went down with a non-contact injury. He clutched the back of his left ankle, near his Achilles tendon, which will likely cost the soon-to-be 35-year-old part of next season as well. Notably, this was not the same leg where he previously dealt with a blood clot in his calf. Following the emotional swing, the Pacers quickly pushed their lead to double digits.
