As a seasoned champion on a squad lacking in playoff experience, Pascal Siakam recognizes the arduous journey that lies ahead for the Indiana Pacers to break through their decade-long first-round playoff drought. Siakam has certainly been leading by example.
In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, the former Toronto Raptors forward erupted for 37 points. The Pacers overcame another spectacular first-half performance from former Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard to secure a 125-108 victory, leveling the series at 1-1. Game 3 will be played in Indianapolis on Friday.
“We must be the team that is hungry,” Siakam asserted. “We must be the team that enters the game with a burning desire to prove ourselves. That’s the mindset we need to have against them because they have the experience.”
The Pacers demonstrated their hunger on Tuesday, ending a 10-game playoff losing streak that began with a Game 7 defeat to Cleveland in the 2018 first round. Indiana acquired Siakam in January, partly due to his championship experience with the 2019 Toronto Raptors. Following his 36-point performance in Game 1, he shot 16 of 23 from the field on Tuesday, adding 11 rebounds and six assists to his tally.
According to Stats Perform, Siakam is the first NBA player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967 to open a postseason with back-to-back 35-point, 10-rebound performances.
“His playoff experience is invaluable,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “He’s not a player who gets rattled by anything. Not once since we acquired him in January. He’s someone people trust and look up to.”
The Pacers needed Siakam to step up because Lillard was once again putting up impressive numbers for the Bucks, at least in the first two quarters. Two nights after scoring all 35 of his points in the first half of the Bucks’ 109-94 Game 1 victory, Lillard had 26 by halftime on Tuesday and finished with 34. But it wasn’t enough.
“I believe that in both games, we were very successful in the first two quarters,” Lillard said. “But in the second half, we tend to deviate from the strategies that gave us success.”
Lillard lacked sufficient support as the Bucks once again missed two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is sidelined with a strained left calf. Antetokounmpo has not played since suffering the injury in an April 9 victory over the Boston Celtics.
Despite Lillard’s early surge, the Bucks still trailed 60-55 at halftime. Indiana maintained the lead throughout the second half.
“We were more consistent, played with more force, played with more attitude,” Carlisle said. “There were some tough stretches in the game. I liked how we maintained our composure and aggression. We kept attacking.”
The Pacers led the NBA with 123.3 points per game during the regular season but had their lowest point total and field-goal percentage (.396) while shooting 8 of 38 on 3-pointers in Game 1. This time, Indiana resembled the team that won four of five regular-season matchups with the Bucks, scoring at least 122 points in each game.
“I thought we struggled with execution on the offensive end, and I believe that carried over to the defensive end,” said Bucks coach Doc Rivers. “I thought our offense was the bigger issue tonight.”
Myles Turner scored 22 points, Andrew Nembhard added 20 for the Pacers, and Tyrese Haliburton contributed 12 points and 12 assists. Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez scored 22 points, shooting 6 of 7 from 3-point range, while Khris Middleton scored 15. Bobby Portis had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bucks narrowed Indiana’s lead to one late in the third quarter and closed the gap to four in the early minutes of the fourth. However, the Pacers responded each time, extending their lead to 23 in the fourth quarter by adhering to Siakam’s guidance.
“He has established himself as a veteran leader on our team, somewhat of a mentor because he’s been there,” Carlisle said. “He constantly emphasizes, ‘Keep your edge. Keep your edge. Keep your edge.’ He has experienced these situations numerous times.
