Game Preview: Pacers vs Bucks (Game 4)

Sunday, April 28 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

The Indiana Pacers have the Milwaukee Bucks proper the place they need them heading into Sport 4.

Up 2-1 of their best-of-seven first-round sequence, the sixth-seeded Pacers can keep home-court benefit and put the No. 3 Bucks’ backs in opposition to the wall with a win on Sunday in Indianapolis.

If Sport 4 resembles Sport 3 in any method, the power at Gainbridge Fieldhouse will reverberate all through the state from tip to ultimate buzzer.

Sport 3, a 121-118 Pacers additional time win, had the whole lot a basketball fan may need: aggressive play, jaw-dropping highlights, and clutch performances by stars.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle finest summed up the occasions of Sport 3 throughout postgame interviews.

“The playoffs are madness,” Carlisle stated.

PLAYOFF CENTRAL: Comply with Indiana’s Postseason Run at Pacers.com/Playoffs >>

After the Bucks overcame a 19-point deficit within the second half, and veteran ahead Khris Middleton despatched the sport into additional time with a 3-pointer on the finish of regulation, the Pacers dug in throughout further time.

With 1.6 seconds left, Pacers All-Star level guard Tyrese Haliburton — enjoying in his first ever house playoff recreation — obtained a floater to fall by means of contact earlier than making a free throw to seal it.

The sport-winner capped a historic night time for Halibuton, who turned the fourth participant in Pacers playoff historical past to document a triple-double by logging 18 factors, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds.

Haliburton’s 16 assists have been additionally the second-most ever by a Pacer in a playoff recreation, as he completed one wanting tying Mark Jackson’s franchise mark set in 1998. 

RELATED: Haliburton Caps Historic Sport 3 Efficiency with Time beyond regulation Heroics >>

On prime of Haliburton’s memorable efficiency, and different clutch performs by different gamers like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith down the stretch, Myles Turner posted a profession playoff-high 29 factors for the Blue & Gold in Sport 3.

Turner, who has performed for the Pacers since 2015, stated he hopes the surroundings from Sport 3 carries over into the remainder of the playoff house video games and that it makes a distinction for the gamers.

“That was unreal, bro. Don’t get me began,” Turner stated postgame. “That was the whole lot I hoped for. I wouldn’t say value the five-year wait — I want it was right here sooner, however it was undoubtedly simply an incredible ambiance to play in. Simply for my household to find a way to expertise that this time of yr, it was actually cool. For the fellows that haven’t been right here for the Indiana Pacers within the playoffs, this was an awesome introduction for them. It’s solely going to get crazier. It was superb. Simply energetic your complete recreation, by no means actually was any lows. It was cool.” 

With out two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton stepped up on the offensive finish for the Bucks, posting 42 factors on 16-for-29 capturing whereas gathering 10 rebounds. Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed but this postseason and his standing stays in query as he recovers from a calf harm. 

One other harm to observe can be Bucks All-Star guard Damian Lillard, who momentarily left Sport 3 within the first quarter with what he described as an Achilles difficulty. Lillard nonetheless had 28 factors on Friday regardless of the harm.

No matter Sunday’s consequence, the Pacers will play in Milwaukee at Fiserv Discussion board for Sport 5 on Tuesday, with a begin time nonetheless to be introduced by the league.

Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Andrew Nembhard, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Myles Turner

Bucks: G – Patrick Beverley, G – Malik Beasley, F – Khris Middleton, F – Bobby Portis, C – Brook Lopez

Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin – out (proper shoulder labral tear)

Bucks: Khris Middleton – possible (proper ankle sprain), Giannis Antetokounmpo – out (left soleus pressure), Damian Lillard – out (proper Achilles tendinitis), Chris Livingston – out (non-COVID sickness)

April 26, 2024: In a wildly entertaining Sport 3, the Pacers outlasted the Bucks 121-118 in additional time at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

After giving up a 19-point lead, the Pacers led by three within the ultimate seconds of regulation earlier than Bucks ahead Khris Middleton drilled a 3-pointer proper earlier than the buzzer to push the sport into further minutes.

Further time began out wacky, together with a possession during which the Pacers pulled down 5 robust offensive rebounds, however the Blue & Gold stayed locked in.

Tied at 118 with 6.7 seconds left in additional time, Pacers level guard Tyrese Haliburton sprinted up the courtroom, obtained a floater to fall by means of contact with 1.6 ticks on the clock and hit the following free throw to finish the sport.

Haliburton turned simply the fourth Pacers participant to document a triple-double within the playoffs, ending with 18 factors, 16 assists and 10 rebounds, and Myles Turner recorded a playoff-best 29 factors within the win. 

Middleton scored 42 factors (16-for-29 capturing) to anchor the Bucks, Damian Lillard added 28, and Bobby Portis chipped in 17. 

Six gamers scored in double figures for the Pacers, together with all 5 starters. Indiana’s bench outscored Milwaukee’s reserves 28-6. 

The Pacers outrebounded the Bucks 50-43 and outscored the guests 12-4 in fast-break factors.

TV: TNT – Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Greg Anthony (analyst), Stephanie Prepared (sideline reporter)
Bally Sports activities Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)

The Pacers and Bucks will meet once more at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Sport 4 on Sunday, April 28 at 7:00 PM ET. Discover Tickets >>