While Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 points, 9 rebounds) and his teammates were well launched, after winning the first quarter (40-30) then having taken the lead at halftime (64-55), the Pacers achieved a large-scale 2nd half (84 to 59) to beat the leaders of the Eastern Conference.
In the third quarter, the Bucks had first maintained their lead (90-77 five minutes from the end of the quarter), before losing too many balls and seeing their opponent pass in front of the after 12 minutes. Indiana had just scored 49 points (!) in the 3rd quarter. A defensive failure which is perhaps explained by the absence of the pivot Brook Lopez (ankle).
The Pacers then consolidated their lead with a very good success behind the arc to finish at 22 of 46 from three points. It’s Indiana’s first win over Milwaukee since Feb. 12, 2020, ending a 10-game losing streak for the Bucks. The latter retain their first place with two wins ahead of Boston, while the Pacers are in 10th place.
Denver validates its ticket
The defeat of the first of the Eastern conference answered the victory of the first of the Western conference. The Nuggets indeed moved on the floor of the last in the East, the Pistons, to end their series of four defeats in a row. Michael Malone’s men especially validated their ticket for the play-offs after their victory (100-119) which was more complex than expected.
Nikola Jokic had a great night (30 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists), assisted by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (20 points) and Jamal Murray (19 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds). Despite good resistance from the locals who led at the break (64-58), Denver accelerated in the second half (61-36) including 33-14 in the last quarter.
Neither team had then led by more than four points in the 3rd quarter and the match was still breathtaking (86-86) at the start of the fourth, before the Nuggets responded with a 16-0 at the end. entry of the last quarter to definitely take off. The Pistons have now lost 13 of their last 14 games.
