“While it is only January 2, we are fortunate to have experienced many situations and atmospheres worthy of the playoffs.” Rick Carlisle can be delighted to see his young troops come out of tense encounters. A month ago, Tyrese Haliburton's teammates reached the final of the NBA tournament, and that night, they went to win in Milwaukee, in a room where the Bucks had been undefeated in 15 games!
A tense game since the last time the two teams met at Fiserv Forum, the end of the match was marked by the big confusion over the “match ball” after Giannis Antetokounmpo's 64 points. The reunion was stormy for this 4th opposition of the season with clashes (like this nasty fall by Isaiah Jackson) and technical fouls. Above all, the Pacers confirmed that they had the weapons to thwart the Bucks with a third victory in four matches.
A reunion on Wednesday then in the playoffs?
“In the end, I felt like it was a game of stops and we weren't able to make any at the end, and that's what allowed them to win.” Giannis Antetokounmpo analysisauthor of a triple-double. “We have to find a solution because, you never know, we could find them in the playoffs. We will see them again in two days. We have to watch the videos, understand what they are doing against us and try to stop them. If we don't succeed, we will probably lose again. »
Indeed, the Bucks will travel to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday for a fifth and final opposition in the regular season. Given the scenario of the meetings this season, with constant “trashtalking”, and the Pacers' ability to bother the Bucks, can we talk about a budding rivalry?
“It’s a team that has been playing for the title for several years,” recalls Tyrese Haliburton, born a few miles from Milwaukee. “We are on the right track, but we are not there yet. I have a lot of respect for them as a group. I don't think I can call it a rivalry right now. Whoever the opponent is, we fight, and we often play against them in a season. We are ready when we meet them.”
At the end of the match, the leader could falter by ostensibly returning the match ball to the referees…
