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Indiana Pacers (Source: X)
Pascal Siakam scored 37 points as the Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 125-108 on Tuesday night, tying their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at one game apiece. Indiana ended a 10-game playoff losing run that began with a Game 7 defeat to Cleveland in the first round in 2018. In 2019, Boston swept the Pacers, and Miami did the same in 2020.
Two nights after scoring all 35 points in the first half of the Milwaukee Bucks 109-94 Game 1 triumph, Lillard scored 26 by halftime on Tuesday and ended with 34. It was not enough. Lillard didn't get enough support from the Bucks, who were without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo due to a strained left calf. Antetokounmpo has not played since being injured in an April 9 win over the Boston Celtics.
Despite leading the NBA with 123.3 points per game during the regular season, the Pacers had their lowest point total and field-goal percentage (.396) in Game 1, hitting 8 of 38 on 3-pointers. This time, Indiana looked more like the squad that won four of five regular-season games against the Bucks, scoring at least 122 points in each.
Indiana Pacers extended their advantage
Siakam, who won the NBA championship with Toronto in 2019, led the way, shooting 16 of 23 from the field. He also had 11 rebounds and six assists. Siakam scored 36 points in Game One. The Indiana Pacers Myles Turner scored 22 points, while Andrew Nembhard added 20. Tyrese Haliburton recorded 12 points and 12 assists.
Brook Lopez of Milwaukee scored 22 points and made six of seven three-pointers. Khris Middleton had 15 points. Bobby Portis recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds. Despite another strong first half from Damian Lillard, the Bucks trailed 60-55 at the intermission as Indiana hit 10 for 20 on 3-pointers.
But after Milwaukee's Jae Crowder missed a 3-pointer, Indiana scored eight straight baskets in 74 seconds to take a 12-point lead with 9:17 remaining. Indiana finally extended their advantage to 23 points. The next game of the series will be played on Friday.