INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton completed a three-point play with 1.6 seconds left and capped his first postseason triple-double in Indiana’s first home playoff game as the Pacers won 121-118 on Friday. in overtime to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Indiana leads the best-of-seven series 2-1, with the fourth game taking place on Sunday in Indianapolis. Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was once again ruled out for Milwaukee due to a left calf strain.
Haliburton had 18 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds. Myles Turner added 29 points and nine rebounds, both career playoff highs, to help Indiana win back-to-back postseason wins for the first time since winning three in the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2014.
Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton hit a 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left to force overtime and had a chance to push it into a second overtime, but his 3-pointer bounced off the side of the rim at the buzzer.
The teams traded baskets, leads and ties in the final seven and a half minutes, with Pascal Siakam scoring with 19.1 seconds left for a seemingly secure 109-106 lead for the Pacers. However, Siakam missed the free throw for the guarantee, Middleton responded with a mid-range three-pointer to tie the game. Siakam launched a long 3-pointer for the win, but the ball ended up hitting the rim as time expired.
It was more of the same in overtime – until Haliburton broke free on the run to make a 15-footer and draw a foul that led to the decisive free throw.
Bobby Portis Jr. finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds for the Bucks, while Siakam had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers.
2024-04-27 01:46:00
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