The Pacers were determined to let the fever rise, for their return to Indianapolis and in the presence of the Indiana Fever (WNBA) and its future superstar Caitlin Clark. The fiery start of the Haliburton-Siakam-Turner trio made Indiana flirt with the euphoria of big nights (39-22), but in the end, the duel was much more indecisive than expected.
The fault lies with the Bucks who never gave up despite a context that was delicate to say the least, still without Giannis Antetokounmpo and with Khris Middleton uncertain until the start of the match (ankle).
Milwaukee held back before taking advantage of the second and then third quarters to get back on track and even go in front. There was an 8-0 to start the second quarter then an 11-2 with Khris Middleton already in the lead (57-50). Andrew Nembhard's 3-pointer and Tyrese Haliburton's tap-dunk from elsewhere before the break only delayed the deadline (67-55).
Returning from the locker room, the Pacers tried to restart the machine, but Damian Lillard hung on by aligning the 3-pointers to maintain the pressure, until Khris Middleton took over, also from afar, a first time to bring his team to -9 (86-77), then on a marvelous shot at the buzzer to bring the score to 90-83. The “momentum” ended up changing when the Bucks attacked the last act with a 12-2 concluded by two 3-point arrows from “Dame Time” (92-95).
Khris Middleton snatches extension
What followed was a “mano-a-mano” which put the nerves of both teams to the test, until the 3-point followed by Myles Turner's dunk before Pascal Siakam's 2+1 likely to tip the balance (109-106). But the Cameroonian post 4 missed a precious throw which kept Milwaukee alive, which ended up benefiting Khris Middleton, author of a miraculous first basket to snatch overtime, with a 3-point shot full of blood -cold two seconds from the buzzer (111-111).
Khris Middleton then put his team in the lead twice, until this stroke of genius from Pascal Siakam, who felt the two-man hold coming towards him and immediately shifted Aaron Nesmith for an open 3-pointer in the corner which hit the mark (118-115). Except that once again, Khris Middleton responded with an improbable “catch-and-shoot” at the head of the racket to equalize (118-118).
At the end of the suspense, the salvation came from Tyrese Haliburton with a coast-to-coast followed by a floater which ignited the crowd, with the foul as a bonus! With 1.1 seconds left, the leader scored his shot synonymous with victory, 121-118. Perhaps already a turning point in this series?
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Tyrese Haliburton passes between the drops. Can you be the “franchise player” of a home team and find yourself credited with a great game after sending a 1/12 3-pointer? Tyrese Haliburton helped answer the question in the affirmative. Still angry with his shot, the leader didn't stop there, offering himself a monumental dunk and a tap from elsewhere in the first half, but also and above all by multiplying the caviars, 16 in the end! Everyone would have fallen on him if Indiana had failed in front of these Bucks orphans of the “Greek Freak”. But his lightning drive in the final seconds of overtime changed everything. Good for him, hoping that this outcome helps him find a bit of skill.
– Never let go ! We can't say it enough, a basketball match can be decided on details, particularly in the playoffs where every possession counts! The Bucks made a good demonstration of this last night, especially after taking 39 points in less than twelve minutes to find themselves trailing 39-20… two seconds from the first quarter buzzer. It was at this moment that Pat Beverley gave everything to try to get a 3-pointer, finally causing Andrew Nembhard to foul at the last second of the period. And that’s where the “remontada” started. Much later, in the final seconds of overtime, it was Khris Middleton who was right not to give up. His basket from elsewhere, almost blindly, to equalize at 111-118 with 8 seconds remaining could have changed everything. Until Tyrese Haliburton's narrow escape.
– Khris Middleton superstar. The winger carried Milwaukee on his shoulders from the start of the game by being more aggressive than usual, and did not let up until the end. His 3-pointer at the buzzer of the third quarter had the merit of setting the tone, as his end to the match was also breathtaking. He looked like the hero of the match, notably with these two baskets from distance, first to force overtime and then equalize at 118-118 8 seconds from time. But fate wanted it otherwise. Khris Middleton still finished with a breathtaking stats line, with 42 points, his new career record in the playoffs, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. An XXL performance when his team needed it most. All he would have missed was victory.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
