Myles Turner scored 23 points as one of eight players in double digits and the Indiana Pacers took a 3-1 first-round series lead with a convincing 129-103 road victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
Andrew Nembhard scored 20 points and Tyrese Haliburton added 17 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds for Indiana. T.J. McConnell scored 15 points, Aaron Nesmith had 14 points, Obi Toppin scored 13 and Pascal Siakam and Jarace Walker added 12 apiece for the fourth-seeded Pacers.
Indiana never trailed while shooting a scorching 60.2 percent from the field — including 18 of 39 from 3-point range — and had 36 assists on 50 baskets.
“We just made shots,” Haliburton said. “I thought what we did on the defensive edge changed everything … when we get out in transition, we feel we are the best in the world at that.”
Milwaukee star Damian Lillard exited midway through the first quarter with a potentially serious lower left leg injury. He will undergo an MRI on Monday. This was Lillard’s third game since returning from having a blood clot in his right leg.
“This is a tough one,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “Blood clot followed by this. It’s just tough. … He’s such a great freaking dude. No one deserves this. That’s why I feel bad. I’ve seen injuries that are deflating. This one hurt.
“They’re going to do imaging tomorrow. … Just being honest, it’s not very promising.”
After being hurt, Lillard fell to the floor and immediately grabbed for the leg and was unable to get up. He departed with 5:57 left in the period and was scoreless with two assists and two rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 28 points, 15 rebounds and six assists for the fifth-seeded Bucks. Kevin Porter Jr. added 23 points and fellow reserve Bobby Portis added 14 for Milwaukee.
Game 5 is Tuesday night at Indianapolis. The Pacers will be looking to eliminate Milwaukee in the first round for the second straight postseason.
“You don’t always win,” Antetokounmpo said. “This year, somebody else is going to win. Simple as that. We’re going to come back next year and try to be better and try to build good habits and try to play better. Hopefully, we can win a championship. … We’ve been able to win one. Hopefully we can win another one.”
The Bucks waved the white flag when they pulled Antetokounmpo with 4:44 left and Indiana leading by 22.
Milwaukee shot 41.6 percent from the field, including 15 of 37 from behind the arc.
Indiana shot a stellar 68.2 percent (15 of 22) from the field in the third quarter while stretching their halftime lead of 11 to 101-84. Antetokounmpo scored 18 points in the quarter for the Bucks.
“We moved it much better tonight,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “Overall, the spirit and intention was correct.”
Milwaukee pulled within 90-81 on two free throws by Antetokounmpo with 2:34 left in the period. The Pacers responded with an 11-3 quarter-ending surge, capped by Toppin’s fast-break layup with 0.2 seconds left.
Indiana continued its run by scoring nine of the first 13 points in the fourth quarter. Toppin’s jumper made it 110-88 with 9:50 remaining and prompted Rivers to frantically call for a timeout.
The Bucks trailed 115-98 after Porter’s basket with 5:57 left in the game. After an Indiana timeout, Nembhard drained a 3-pointer, Siakam scored in the interior and Nembhard swished a midrange jumper to make it 122-98 with 4:32 left.
Turner scored 14 points in the first half to help the Pacers hold a 63-52 lead at the break. Porter had 15 in the half for Milwaukee.
–Field Level Media
