The Indiana Pacers looked like a completely different team Tuesday night as they beat the third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks by a score of 125-108 to even their Eastern Conference first-round series at 1-1. Sixth-seeded Indiana got balanced contributions across the board from its starting unit, and Pascal Siakam exploded for 37 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Following the win, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton — who had 12 points and 12 assists — also had a bold take. Referencing the crowds for Games 1 and 2 in Milwaukee, he said, “We’ve had regular-season crowds [at home] better than what we’ve played in the last two games.”
Haliburton is bullish on the energy level Pacers fans will provide in their home games. The next two games in the series are scheduled for Indiana, which is in the playoffs for the first time since the COVID-marred 2020 bubble postseason played before scant crowds.
Pacers fans haven’t had as much to be joyous about as Bucks faithful in recent seasons, but things are different now for Haliburton and Co. After some down years, Indiana has a high-powered group that loves to play fast and get end-to-end with the ball. That transition game would also definitely get that Indiana home crowd rocking in these next outings where the Pacers will strive to take control in this series.
One of the major storylines is whether Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo plays. He missed the first two games because of a calf strain. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium recently reported that Antetokounmpo has been largely limited in his workouts. He also noted Milwaukee must ” be prepared to keep playing without Giannis.”
This isn’t to suggest Milwaukee doesn’t still have its share of playoff players. Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and the Bucks are still a formidable group that has tons of playoff experience. Even coming off their last win, the Pacers can’t be complacent.
Granted, Indiana fared well against Milwaukee in the regular season, going 4-1. The playoffs are a different game, though, and the Bucks crushed the Pacers in the first game, 109-94.
Whether or not the 2021 NBA Finals MVP in Antetokounmpo suits up, though, Pacers fans are going to be psyched for what lies ahead beginning Friday night.
