In a thrilling playoff matchup, the Indiana Pacers dominated the Milwaukee Bucks with a score of 117-98, establishing a 1-0 lead in their first-round series. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 25 points and 7 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 10 points and 12 assists. The Pacers built a significant lead of up to 28 points during the game, fending off a challenge from the Bucks that cut the deficit to 12 in the third quarter. Notably, Myles Turner sealed the victory with a critical 3-pointer late in the game, finishing the night with 19 points and 4 blocks.

On the Bucks’ side, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had a standout performance, recording 36 points and 12 rebounds, but the Pacers managed to limit his assists to just one. This rematch of last year’s playoff series began with considerable intensity, reminding fans that Giannis had missed the last championship run due to injury.

AJ Green was among the top performers for Milwaukee with 15 points, while Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. added 14 and 12 points respectively. The Bucks suffered in 3-point shooting, converting only 2 of 16 attempts in the first half. The Pacers executed a series of defensive strategies against Giannis, causing him to only find his scoring pace in the later stages after an underwhelming start.

The Pacers built momentum with an 11-3 rally towards the end of the first half, pushing their lead to 60-43. The Bucks’ efforts to recover were stymied as Indiana’s defense tightened late in the game.

This report is brought to you by an overview of the game and player statistics.