As for the Mavs in Los Angeles against the Clippers deprived of Kawhi Leonard, the Pacers had a golden opportunity to strike hard from the start against the Bucks, since Giannis Antetokounmpo was absent. But like Dallas, Indiana missed its game. In the same proportions in the first period moreover.
“The first half was embarrassing. No excuse. We simply have to be better. It was awful and we are all responsible for that.”, judge coach Rick Carlisle, facing the score of the first period (69-42) to the advantage of Milwaukee.
Did the Pacers lack experience, returning to the playoffs four years later, against a Milwaukee team experienced at this level?
“We have a young group who don’t really have experience at this level”justifies Myles Turner. “But it concerns our leaders, those who have already experienced this. When you play away in the playoffs, you need a certain intensity, a certain attention to detail. We lacked that in the first half. »
First complicated outing for Tyrese Haliburton
It is therefore not surprising that Indiana's two best scorers are Pascal Siakam (36 points) and Myles Turner (17). They have already played matches at this level: 53 for the Cameroonian, 26 for the pivot. Except that, opposite, the Bucks' major five showed 321!
“They looked like an experienced team and we looked like a team that lacked experience,” notes Rick Carlisle. “That's what caused a lot of the problems in the beginning. The playoffs, we can say that it's different, but experiencing it is something else. »
Double All-Star, Tyrese Haliburton had a very difficult baptism of fire with only 9 points and 8 assists. “We didn’t do enough offensively, we didn’t run enough. We weren't good at getting into the paint and moving the ball. I have to be better and I will be Tuesday night.”warns the playmaker. “He played fair”defends Pascal Siakam. “The defense was very much on him. It seemed like he was constantly double-crossed. He will find a solution. »
With his experience, the former Toronto player, NBA champion in 2019, reassures the Pacers. “They won Game 1. We have to move forward, learn from that, watch the videos, adjust and come back to give everything on the field. Ultimately, no matter the score, it's still just one match.” concludes the interior.
