By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton lead the Indiana Pacers to a 123-115 victory In Game 2 over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Five Pacers finished with double figures. Siakam and Haliburton recorded double-doubles. Siakam led the Pacers in scoring with 24 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Haliburton added 21 points and 12 assists. Andrew Nembhard added 17 points. Aaron Nesmith added 16 points, including making 4 of 5 from the three-point line. Myles Turner finished with 15 points on 6 of 10 shooting.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had another strong performance with 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists and one block. Bobby Portis also had a good night with 28 points off the bench, including 6 of 11 shots from the three-point line. Damian Lillard made his return to the court. Lillard finished with 14 points. Kyle Kuzma added 12.
Despite Giannis’ incredible effort, it wasn’t enough. The Bucks committed 16 turnovers in this game. The Bucks were outplayed for most of the game, but they made things interesting in the second half, and it almost looked like they were about to steal the game from the Pacers.
The Pacers managed to hold on. This is a quietly very good Pacers team that can play on both ends of the floor. Haliburton is dangerous when he gets his teammates involved. The Pacers did a great job moving the ball in Game 2. They don’t play ISO basketball.
The Bucks and Pacers don’t like each other. For the second year in a row, both teams face each other in the first round of the playoffs. The Bucks have to respond as the series goes to Milwaukee for Games 3 and 4.
Lillard and Kuzma must improve if the Bucks are to have a chance in this series. Time is ticking. The Bucks have lost eight straight-road playoff games.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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