At the Buzzer: R1G2 — Pacers 123, Bucks 115
The Pacers jumped ahead 8-0, never trailed, and held off a late charge by the Bucks for a second straight win. They now lead 2-0 with Game 3 on Friday in Milwaukee.
It’s been three days since the Pacers handled the Bucks with a 19-point win in Game 1. With so much time — and such a short flight — the Bucks returned home before coming back to Indy for Tuesday’s Game 2 in this best-of-seven series.
The Pacers are in a good spot, but they’re not content. There are plenty of areas where they can improve — and the same goes for the Bucks. Most of the conversation in the lead-up to Game 2 has centered around the return of nine-time All-Star Damian Lillard.
This will be his first game since March 18. So, what will he look like? How long can he go? And will he make a difference? It’s one more major factor the Pacers must be ready for because Lillard being on the floor changes so much.
It wasn’t enough, though. The Pacers became the first team this postseason to take a 2-0 series lead.
The game officials were Zach Zarba, Sean Wright, Gediminas Petraitis, Eric Dalen (alternate).
Lillard is off the injury report after missing the last 15 games due to deep vein thrombosis.
Sports books favored the Pacers by four points.
Watch my live postgame show in the media player below:
🏀How it happened: With another sellout crowd juiced for the playoffs, the Pacers scored first and never trailed in a 123-115 win. They went up 8-0, with three different scorers and each assisted by Tyrese Haliburton. Meanwhile, it was easy to wonder how the Bucks would settle in after getting past initial rush of Lillard's return. And Kyle Kuzma needed to give them something. After going scoreless in Game 1 and then blowing his first two layups, he did.
Emotions were high in the opening period. Lillard sank his first shot seven minutes into the game, a 20-footer. He played the first 10 minutes and was the last starter to be subbed out. However, the Pacers led 40-30 after 1 thanks to making 11 of their first 13 field goals. It was their first 40-point quarter in NBA playoff history.
The middle two quarters were an adventure. It felt like a missed opportunity for the Pacers as the Bucks were able to claw back and then hang around. They got to within four and were within eight at halftime.
Then, after the Bucks closed the half on a 14-4 run, the Pacers answered by opening up the third with a 10-2 outburst. Kuzma came alive and scored eight points in the third and a heave by Kevin Porter Jr. was good, beating the buzzer and making it 99-87 entering the fourth quarter.
The Pacers struggled to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo — which isn’t easy — and he kept attacking the basket. Between he and Portis, they accounted for 21 of the Bucks’ 28 points in the fourth quarter. At the other end, the Pacers quit pushing the pace and got out of their offense. Following a brief scare, they closed the game on a 8-2 spurt after the Bucks got to within two.
Impressively, Lillard played 37 minutes and finished with 14 points, three rebounds, and seven assists. But he wasn’t as effective in the second half, held to three points on 1-of-7 shooting.
🏀What it means: With homecourt advantage, the Pacers did exactly what they had to do and now lead 2-0 in the best-of-seven series as the series shifts to Milwaukee.
🏀Turning point: The Bucks used a 13-0 run to draw to within two, 115-113, with 2:33 to play. It was Antetokounmpo attacking for layups and Portis knocking down 3s. But then Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard drilled back-to-back 3s to put the game on ice.
Good time to re-share this feature I wrote on Nembhard, who thrives in big moments:
🏀Star of the game: Haliburton had his finger on so much and finished with a double-double, 21 points and 12 rebounds. And he did so after taking criticism in anonymous player survey in The Athletic on Tuesday with him voted “Most Overrated Player” by his peers. Antetokounmpo, again, was the best player with 34-18-7 — so close to a triple-double in a losing effort.
🏀Streaking: It was their 31st home win of the season. The Pacers have won six of their last seven playoff games against the Bucks.
🏀Stat(s) of note: The Pacers were perfect at the foul line — 19 for 19 — and the Bucks went 13 for 19.
They kept their turnovers to eight for the second straight game, half the number of giveaways by the Bucks.
The Pacers’ top six players all scored in double figures and combined for 87% of the points: 107 of 123.
The Pacers were held to just four fast break points after 22 in Game 1.
🏀What’s next: Game 3 is on Friday at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee. And it’ll air on ESPNU, NBA TV, and Fan Duel Sports Network Indiana. (Click here for the full game schedule)
Other Notes
There was a brief altercation with 1:53 left in the first quarter. It wasn’t much, but double technicals were issued to Mathurin and Trent Jr. There was more jawing late in the game, resulting in double technicals on Siakam and Portis.
Porter Jr. was issued a Flagrant 1 and take foul for gabbing the heal and the foot of Thomas Bryant away from the play.
It was the 17th meeting between these two teams over the last two seasons.
Haliburton changed his song for team intros to the new one that mentions him — “what the Haliburton!” It’s called “WTHELLY” and the artist, ROB49, was sitting courtside.
In the stands: Reggie Wayne, Lance Stephenson, Haliburton’s skills trainer Drew Hanlen, IndyCar drivers Marcus Ericsson, Colton Herta, and Kyle Kirkwood.
Stephenson signed autographs on the concourse before the game, then was shown courtside to start the “Air Guitar Cam” after the first quarter.
The Fever were well-represented. They were on the court during a timeout in the middle of the second quarter to throw t-shirts into the stands. That included the three foundational pieces: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. Training camp begins on Sunday.
Official attendance: 17,274 — a sellout.
All fans in attendance received a rally towel at their seat.