Pacers lead 2-1 after Tyrese Haliburton’s winner ices the Bucks.

Pacers lead 2-1 after Tyrese Haliburton’s winner ices the Bucks.

He therefore searched for other opportunities to influence the game, such as a massive dunk off a rebound, locating open teammates, and waiting patiently for an opportunity to speak up. Then Haliburton wanted the ball in the last seconds of overtime.

With 1.6 seconds remaining, the All-Star guard made a three-pointer to seal his first postseason triple-double in his first home playoff game, helping the Indiana Pacers defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 121-118. As Game 4 of the best-of-seven series takes place in Indianapolis on Sunday, Indiana leads 2-1.

“No matter what,” Haliburton declared, “you know I was going to shoot it.” “My expectations were primarily based on how I felt there. After Khris [Middleton] shoved Pascal [Siakam] up to warn Patrick [Beverley] to go under, I reacted and everything freed up across the middle, allowing me to finally make a shot, as soon as I saw Patrick kind of turn his head. I have no money tonight to buy a bucket.”

Haliburton only made 8 of 22 field goals and 1 of 12 three-pointers. With a strained left calf, he did, however, almost everything else right, ending with 18 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds while Milwaukee’s two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo missed play once more.

Myles Turner helped Indiana win its first back-to-back postseason games since winning three in a row in the 2014 Eastern Conference semifinals with an additional 29 points and nine rebounds, both playoff career highs.

Additionally, the Pacers are leading the playoffs for the first time since Game 3 of their first-round showdown with Cleveland in 2018. Since making it to the East finals in 2014, Indiana has not won a series.

“Overtime made the game incredibly enjoyable. What more is there to ask for? stated Haliburton. “It was a really fun atmosphere.”

It may not be so enjoyable for a Bucks squad that has been more beaten and bruised by the match.

Despite missing Thursday’s practice due to an injured right ankle, Middleton finished with a playoff career-high 42 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. With just 1.4 seconds remaining in regulation, he made a 3-pointer to force overtime. With 6.7 seconds remaining in overtime, he made another 3-pointer to tie the game, but he missed the opportunity to force a second OT.

Following an injury to his left knee in the first quarter and an aggravation of an Achilles tendon late in the fourth quarter, Damian Lillard finished with 28 points and eight assists.

With many local favorites in attendance for Indiana’s first home playoff game since April 21, 2019, it was an exciting finale in front of a celebratory crowd dressed out in gold T-shirts. Present Colts players Anthony Richardson, Kenny Moore II, and E.J. Speed were among the attendees, along with former Colts coach Tony Dungy, former Pacers forward Derrick McKey, and newcomer Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever.

However, these supporters were not prepared for the seasoned Bucks to gradually close a 19-point deficit in the first half to 90-83 at the end of three quarters, or to start the fourth quarter with a 10-2 run to take a 95-92 lead thanks to a putback by Bobby Portis.

Over the next seven and a half minutes of play, the teams traded baskets, ties, and leads. With 19.1 seconds remaining, Siakam’s putback gave the Pacers a 109-106 lead. However, Middleton responded with a midrange jumper and a three to tie the game after Siakam missed the subsequent free throw. Siakam’s deep three-point attempt to win it sailed off the hoop at the buzzer.

Up until Haliburton broke loose for a midrange jumper that drew a foul and resulted in the game-winning three-point play, overtime was more of the same.

Nine rebounds and 17 points were Siakam’s stats. For the Bucks, Portis finished with 17 points and 18 rebounds.