Sunday, April 28 at 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Recreation Preview
The Indiana Pacers have the Milwaukee Bucks proper the place they need them heading into Recreation 4.
Up 2-1 of their best-of-seven first-round collection, the sixth-seeded Pacers can preserve home-court benefit and put the No. 3 Bucks’ backs towards the wall with a win on Sunday in Indianapolis.
If Recreation 4 resembles Recreation 3 in any approach, the vitality at Gainbridge Fieldhouse will reverberate all through the state from tip to remaining buzzer.
Recreation 3, a 121-118 Pacers time beyond regulation win, had all the things a basketball fan may need: aggressive play, jaw-dropping highlights, and clutch performances by stars.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle greatest summed up the occasions of Recreation 3 throughout postgame interviews.
“The playoffs are madness,” Carlisle mentioned.
PLAYOFF CENTRAL: Observe Indiana’s Postseason Run at Pacers.com/Playoffs >>
After the Bucks overcame a 19-point deficit within the second half, and veteran ahead Khris Middleton despatched the sport into time beyond regulation with a 3-pointer on the finish of regulation, the Pacers dug in throughout additional time.
With 1.6 seconds left, Pacers All-Star level guard Tyrese Haliburton — taking part in in his first ever house playoff recreation — bought a floater to fall by contact earlier than making a free throw to seal it.
The sport-winner capped a historic evening for Halibuton, who turned the fourth participant in Pacers playoff historical past to document a triple-double by logging 18 factors, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Haliburton’s 16 assists have been additionally the second-most ever by a Pacer in a playoff recreation, as he completed one wanting tying Mark Jackson’s franchise mark set in 1998.
RELATED: Haliburton Caps Historic Recreation 3 Efficiency with Time beyond regulation Heroics >>
On high of Haliburton’s memorable efficiency, and different clutch performs by different gamers like Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith down the stretch, Myles Turner posted a profession playoff-high 29 factors for the Blue & Gold in Recreation 3.
Turner, who has performed for the Pacers since 2015, mentioned he hopes the setting from Recreation 3 carries over into the remainder of the playoff house video games and that it makes a distinction for the gamers.
“That was unreal, bro. Don’t get me began,” Turner mentioned postgame. “That was all the things I hoped for. I wouldn’t say price the five-year wait — I want it was right here sooner, but it surely was undoubtedly simply a tremendous environment to play in. Simply for my household to give you the option to expertise that this time of yr, it was actually cool. For the blokes that haven’t been right here for the Indiana Pacers within the playoffs, this was an excellent introduction for them. It’s solely going to get crazier. It was wonderful. Simply energetic your complete recreation, by no means actually was any lows. It was cool.”
With out two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton stepped up on the offensive finish for the Bucks, posting 42 factors on 16-for-29 capturing whereas amassing 10 rebounds. Antetokounmpo hasn’t performed but this postseason and his standing stays in query as he recovers from a calf damage.
One other damage to watch can be Bucks All-Star guard Damian Lillard, who momentarily left Recreation 3 within the first quarter with what he described as an Achilles subject. Lillard nonetheless had 28 factors on Friday regardless of the damage.
No matter Sunday’s final result, the Pacers will play in Milwaukee at Fiserv Discussion board for Recreation 5 on Tuesday, with a begin time nonetheless to be introduced by the league.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Andrew Nembhard, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Myles Turner
Bucks: G – Damian Lillard, G – Patrick Beverley, F – Khris Middleton, F – Bobby Portis, C – Brook Lopez
Damage Report
Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin – out (proper shoulder labral tear)
Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo – questionable (left soleus pressure)
Final Assembly
April 26, 2024: In a wildly entertaining Recreation 3, the Pacers outlasted the Bucks 121-118 in time beyond regulation at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
After giving up a 19-point lead, the Pacers led by three within the remaining seconds of regulation earlier than Bucks ahead Khris Middleton drilled a 3-pointer proper earlier than the buzzer to push the sport into additional minutes.
Additional time began out wacky, together with a possession wherein the Pacers pulled down 5 sturdy offensive rebounds, however the Blue & Gold stayed locked in.
Tied at 118 with 6.7 seconds left in time beyond regulation, Pacers level guard Tyrese Haliburton sprinted up the courtroom, bought a floater to fall by contact with 1.6 ticks on the clock and hit the following free throw to finish the sport.
Haliburton turned simply the fourth Pacers participant to document a triple-double within the playoffs, ending with 18 factors, 16 assists and 10 rebounds, and Myles Turner recorded a playoff-best 29 factors within the win.
Middleton scored 42 factors (16-for-29 capturing) to anchor the Bucks, Damian Lillard added 28, and Bobby Portis chipped in 17.
Six gamers scored in double figures for the Pacers, together with all 5 starters. Indiana’s bench outscored Milwaukee’s reserves 28-6.
The Pacers outrebounded the Bucks 50-43 and outscored the guests 12-4 in fast-break factors.
Noteworthy
- The Pacers have by no means received two straight house video games after splitting their first two video games on the highway to open a playoff collection. They’re 0-10 all-time in these conditions.
- Pacers head coach Rick Carlislie has 65 profession playoff wins and is one wanting tying Billy Cunnigham for the sixteenth most in NBA teaching historical past.
Broadcast Info (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: TNT – Announcers TBA
Bally Sports activities Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
The Pacers and Bucks will meet once more at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Recreation 4 on Sunday, April 28 at 7:00 PM ET. Discover Tickets >>