After three days of domination by home teams, the Bucks are the first to fall in their room. A logical defeat against the Pacers who were very attractive in the game, like their NBA champion, Pascal Siakam, recruited during the season. However, it was the Bucks who started this match the best. From the outset, Brook Lopez (22 points, 6 of 7 from 3-point range) starts the 3-point contest. And Damian Lillard (34 points) is quick to follow him, sometimes from very, very far away.
But the Pacers have something to answer for. With their speed, Tyrese Haliburton's teammates punish each bad defensive withdrawal to get back on the Bucks. And Obi Toppin even ended up putting them in front after an offensive rebound, then causing a foul. After 12 minutes, the Pacers are in front: 30-26.
Khris Middleton responds to a 3-pointer from Obi Topin open in the corner and launches a 9-0 Bucks run to regain a 3-point lead. The two teams go blow for blow. Damian Lillard is still phenomenal in the first half with his 26 points. But Pascal Siakam (37 points) allows his team to return to the locker room in front by chaining penetration, play in the post. With a winning 45° shot, he finished the half. The Pacers are still ahead: 60-55
The Fiserv Forum audience hasn't even returned from the refreshment bar before the Bucks are storming. In transition, Aaron Nesmith finds himself alone in the corner and gives the Bucks an 11-point lead. Milwaukee is trying to come back, still led by Lillard, but also Bobby Portis, very useful at mid-distance. But at the end of the quarter, Indiana took advantage of possessions poorly managed by Milwaukee to regain momentum. Siakam attacks the circle against Brook Lopez, stops halfway to offer himself an open basket when the interior is carried away in his momentum (92-83).
In the last period of the match, the Bucks and Lillard no longer found the fault in attack. They come up against some amazing Pacers in defense. On the other side of the field, Siakam chained shots from mid-range and inflicted an 8-0 in one minute. Myles Turner takes over. With a winning shot facing the basket, then in the corner, the Pacers pivot lets his outside skill speak. He increased the lead to 20 points with 6 minutes left. The break is made, and the Pacers win 125-108 to take home advantage.
What you must remember
A first in six years. The last playoff game won by Indiana was in 2018. It was in a first round against LeBron James' Cavaliers. After the defeat against the “King”, the Pacers qualified for other playoffs but were swept twice by the Celtics and the Heat. They therefore end 10 games without a victory in the playoffs.
Lillard's first half. “Dame Time” is in the first half from now on. Author of 35 points in the first two quarters of Game 1, Lillard scored 26 last night. He continued with shots from afar and penetrations. He seemed to be the only one who could find the fault on the Bucks side. Then… he was targeted by Rick Carlisle's players. He was sometimes even caught in two in his own half, and his impact diminished in the second half.
The lack of scoring alongside Lillard. Life is hard without Giannis Antetkounmpo… If Damian Lillard finished with 34 points and Brook Lopez was very skillful to help him, Bobby Portis and Kris Middleton were not up to the task of responding to Siakam. The first scored 14 points at 6/16 on shots, the second finished the match with 15 points at 6/14.
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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.
