Siakam, Haliburton’s double-doubles lead Pacers past Bucks 123-115 for 2-0 series lead

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton performed the proper pair for the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. Once more.

Now they’re two wins away from ousting the Milwaukee Bucks within the first spherical of the playoffs. Once more.

Siakam had 24 factors, 11 rebounds and a vital 3-pointer to start out Indiana’s decisive closing run, whereas Haliburton added 21 factors and 12 assists to steer the Indiana Pacers previous the Milwaukee Bucks 123-115 for a 2-0 sequence lead.

“He’s been a steady presence for us all year, so glad that he’s on our team,” Haliburton mentioned, referring to Siakam. “I think he could be the most underrated player in the NBA to be honest. I think what he does on a nightly basis is amazing. So consistent, so steady.”

The Bucks are studying that the exhausting manner.

Indiana has gained 5 of the final six playoff video games between the groups, main this one wire to wire. And in opposition to a group that gained three of this season’s 4 regular-season matchups, the Pacers nonetheless haven’t trailed because the early minutes of the primary quarter in Recreation 1.

They’ll meet for 18th time within the final two seasons on Friday, when Recreation 3 is performed in Milwaukee.

“It’s kind of hard to play from behind,” two-time league MVP Gianis Antetokounmpo mentioned after ending with 34 factors, 18 rebounds and 7 assists. “We need to be more urgent. Both games, both halves they were really able to set the tone, get that feel. Need to play with more urgency at the start of the game, start of the half.”

Bucks guard Damain Lillard had 14 factors in his first sport again from deep vein thrombosis in his proper calf. He was 4 of 13 from the sector in 37 minutes, taking part in for the primary time since March 18 – and for the primary time within the playoffs with Antetokounmpo, who missed all six video games within the playoffs final season with a calf harm.

Bobby Portis Jr. added 28 factors, together with six 3s, and 12 rebounds for Milwaukee.

The sport had a little bit little bit of every part.’

There was a scuffle in entrance of the Pacers bench that led to double technical fouls within the first half, phrases between a number of gamers within the closing minutes that drew extra technical fouls, gamers repeatedly hitting the ground, a gradual of 10-second counts on Antetokounmpo’s free throws, a little bit zone protection, a smattering of full-court stress and, after all, loads of factors.

And a crowd that includes WNBA star Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever teammates, Tremendous Bowl winner Reggie Wayne, 2022 Indianapolis 500 champion Marcus Ericsson and former Pacers star Lance Stephenson all acquired a front-row seat to probably the most entertaining playoff video games to this point.

On the courtroom, the Pacers have been in full management after they constructed a 31-16 lead simply 7 1/2 minutes into the sport till the Bucks went on a late 13-0 run to get inside 115-103 with 2:31 left.

That’s when Siakam hit the three to spur the 8-2 run to shut it out.

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