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| Tyrese Haliburton |
In an entertaining Pacers-Bucs matchup, Indiana's bench players stole the spotlight, leading the Pacers to a 122-113 win over Milwaukee amid Haliburton impressive return to his Wisconsin roots. Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo's tremendous triple-double, Haliburton 26-point, 11-assist and nine-rebound performance led the Pacers to the victory, along with Benedict Mathurin 25 points and a career-high 13 rebounds from Isaiah Jackson. Had 18 points and nine rebounds. , In particular, T.J. McConnell contributed 16 points and nine assists off the bench, which was crucial in the Pacers' victory, where he struggled from beyond the arc and made only 5 of 35 attempts.
While acknowledging their reliance on three-point shooting, McConnell praised the team's adaptability in overcoming the cold shooting night. Despite his staggering 30-point, 18-rebound and 11-assist triple-double, Antetokounmpo expressed the need for the Bucks to analyze and counter the Pacers' strategies before their upcoming rematch.
Indiana's resiliency was evident as they trailed by 15 points in the third quarter, but came back with a 19–5 run to take control. McConnell's crucial six points in an 8-0 run gave the Pacers a crucial 109-101 lead. Haliburton's composed play ensured that Indiana maintained its lead and ultimately won.
Pacers Players
While the Pacers have had success against the Bucks this season, especially in the in-season tournament, Haliburton avoided calling it a rivalry out of respect for the Bucks' championship-caliber history. He stressed his readiness to compete against any opponent and his ongoing preparation for challenging bouts.
Amid the intensity of the series, there was a dispute over the game ball in the last game, highlighting the competitive tension between the two teams. Haliburton dismissed the Bucks' claims of unpreparedness, boasting about their readiness and determination in recent games.
In short, Indiana's bench depth shined, countered the Bucks' strength and earned a hard-fought victory. While an emerging rivalry seemed plausible, the Pacers kept their focus on continued improvement and competitive readiness, while respecting the Bucks' championship pedigree.
