Pacers top Bucks in nail-biter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, claim series lead

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers clawed past the Milwaukee Bucks, 121-118, Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Indiana seemed primed to cruise past Milwaukee before the game, but it ultimately took the Pacers four quarters and an overtime frame to beat the Bucks.

Ahead of tipoff, the Bucks ruled two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo out with an injury. Guard Khris Middleton’s health was also in question, as he was banged up during the Pacers’ 125-108 Game 2 victory at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Bucks points guard Damian Lillard even left the game with an apparent injury in the first quarter.

Early on, it appeared as if the Pacers were going to fully capitalize on Milwaukee’s injury woes. Indiana led by 19 at the end of the first quarter.

Lillard, however, later returned to the game and helped the Bucks erase their deficit. Milwaukee took its first lead of the game with 9:43 left in the fourth quarter on a Lillard 3-pointer.

Indiana and Milwaukee played neck-and-neck for the remainder of the contest. After Lillard’s 3-pointer, neither team led by more than one possession.

Middleton was the catalyst that helped the Bucks force overtime, hitting a 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left in regulation to tie the game, 111-111.

In overtime, Middleton hit another game-tying shot with eight seconds on the clock. The former Texas A&M Aggie banked a 3-pointer in to knot things at 118.

On the Pacers’ ensuing possession, All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton made a floater and was fouled. Haliburton cashed in on the and-one free throw to help Indiana seal a victory.

Middleton finished the game with 42 points and 10 rebounds. Haliburton recorded a triple-double, racking up 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds on the contest.

Center Myles Turner was the Pacers’ leading scorer with 29 points. Indiana also got a solid contribution from forward Obi Toppin, who dropped 15 points off the bench.

BIG PICTURE

The Pacers took a 2-1 series lead with their win over the Bucks Friday night. Indiana has won two contests in a row after starting the series in a one-game hole. The Pacers dropped Game 1, 109-94.

Counting regular season, in-season tournament and playoff games, Indiana has beaten Milwaukee six times in eight matchups this year.

The Pacers have not won a postseason series since 2013-14, when they made the Eastern Conference Finals.

UP NEXT

Game 4 of the Pacers’ Eastern Conference Playoff series with the Bucks is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Game 5 will follow on Tuesday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

A start time has not been set for Game 5.

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