The Indiana Pacers smelled blood early – and by no means let up.
Myles Turner scored 23 factors and Indiana shot a blistering 60.2% from the sphere Sunday night time to throttle the Milwaukee Bucks 129-103, taking a commanding 3-1 sequence lead and pushing the defending East runners-up to the brink of elimination for a second straight 12 months.
Milwaukee’s hopes took a devastating blow halfway by the primary quarter when Damian Lillard crumpled to the ground with a non-contact decrease left leg damage, suspected to contain the Achilles tendon, in keeping with an individual conversant in the scenario.
The Bucks didn’t instantly affirm the analysis, pending imaging scheduled for Monday.
“Once he kind of looked back, I think we all kind of knew what it was,” Turner mentioned. “It’s disheartening, but it happens fast. It’s the playoffs – you have to keep competing.”
At the time of Lillard’s damage, Indiana led simply 15-12. From there, the floodgates opened. Eight Pacers completed in double figures as Indiana stretched the lead right into a rout.
Aaron Nembhard poured in 20 factors, Tyrese Haliburton tallied 17 factors and 15 assists, and T.J. McConnell added 15. Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, and Aaron Nesmith mixed for 51 extra.
The Bucks, who’ve now dropped eight straight playoff video games on the street – 5 of them in Indianapolis – by no means discovered their footing. Giannis Antetokounmpo completed with 28 factors, 15 rebounds and 6 assists however obtained little assist. No different Bucks starter scored greater than six factors. Kevin Porter Jr. chipped in 23 off the bench, however it was window dressing by the ultimate whistle.
“I’ve seen injuries deflate teams before, but tonight, that one really hurt,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers mentioned. “My job now is to get us upright, somehow find a way to win one in Indiana and bring this back home. But right now, my head’s where the players’ heads are – thinking about Dame.”
The sight of Lillard being helped off the court docket, grimacing and unable to place weight on his leg, despatched a chill by Milwaukee’s bench. The Bucks’ spirit appeared to go away with him.
Two nights earlier, the Pacers had squandered a double-digit halftime lead in a Game 3 collapse. This time, there was no slip. Turner, who struggled to only six factors in that loss, set the tone early with 9 factors within the opening minutes. Indiana led by 11 at halftime and shot a staggering 69.2% within the second half to shut the door.
“We let our foot off the gas in Game 3,” Haliburton mentioned. “Tonight, we made sure that didn’t happen.”
Indiana can finish the sequence Tuesday night time at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Meanwhile, the Bucks are left clinging to faint hope – and awaiting the outcomes of Lillard’s medical checks.
Source: www.dailysabah.com