Pacers take 2-1 lead as Tyrese Haliburton's game

 Pacers take 2-1 lead as Tyrese Haliburton's game-winning shot seals victory over Bucks.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Friday night saw Tyrese Haliburton grappling to find his shooting rhythm.

He sought alternate avenues to influence the game—delivering a powerful slam dunk off a rebound, orchestrating plays to find open teammates, and biding his time for a pivotal moment. Then, in the dying seconds of overtime, Haliburton demanded the ball.

In a climactic finish, the All-Star guard converted a critical three-point play with a mere 1.6 seconds remaining, culminating in his inaugural postseason triple-double during his debut home playoff appearance. This sensational performance propelled the Indiana Pacers to a thrilling 121-118 triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks. With Indiana now leading the best-of-seven series 2-1, anticipation mounts for Game 4 scheduled for Sunday in Indianapolis.
"I was determined to take the shot, no matter what," declared Haliburton. "My decision-making in that moment was purely instinctual. When I noticed Patrick [Beverley] turning his head as Khris [Middleton] signaled Pascal [Siakam] to go under, I seized the opportunity, and everything fell into place as I finally made the crucial shot. It felt like I couldn't find the basket all night."

Haliburton's shooting performance left much to be desired, going 8-of-22 from the field and 1-of-12 on 3-point attempts. However, he excelled in nearly every other aspect, tallying 18 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, the absence of two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, sidelined with a strained left calf, added to Milwaukee's challenges. Myles Turner contributed 29 points and nine rebounds, marking both as playoff career highs, as Indiana secured its first consecutive postseason victories since winning three straight in the 2014 Eastern Conference semifinals. This victory also marks the Pacers' first playoff lead since Game 3 of a first-round matchup against Cleveland in 2018, with their last series win dating back to the 2014 Eastern Conference finals.
"It was an incredibly exhilarating game and overtime. What more could you hope for?" remarked Haliburton. "The atmosphere was electric."
However, the joyous atmosphere was perhaps less enjoyable for the Bucks, who continue to contend with injuries and physicality as the series progresses.

Middleton concluded the game with a playoff career-best 42 points, complemented by 10 rebounds and five assists, despite sitting out Thursday's practice due to a sprained right ankle. His clutch performance included a game-tying 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, followed by another game-tying 3-pointer banked in with 6.7 seconds left in overtime. However, his attempt at a buzzer-beating 3-pointer fell short, denying the chance for a second overtime. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard contributed 28 points and eight assists, despite sustaining a left knee injury in the first quarter and aggravating an Achilles injury late in the fourth quarter.

In front of a lively crowd adorned in gold T-shirts to mark Indiana's first home playoff game since April 21, 2019, the contest culminated in a thrilling finish. Among the spectators were notable local figures, including Indiana Fever newcomer Caitlin Clark, former Colts coach Tony Dungy, former Pacers forward Derrick McKey, and current Colts players Anthony Richardson, Kenny Moore II, and E.J. Speed.

However, these fans were taken aback as the seasoned Bucks meticulously chipped away at a 19-point first-half deficit, narrowing it to 90-83 by the end of the third quarter and surging to a 95-92 lead early in the fourth quarter on Bobby Portis' putback.
Throughout the final 7½ minutes of regulation, the teams exchanged baskets, ties, and leads. Pascal Siakam's putback with 19.1 seconds remaining gave the Pacers a 109-106 advantage, but he missed the subsequent free throw. Middleton responded with a midrange shot and a game-tying 3-pointer. Siakam's long-range attempt to win the game rimmed out at the buzzer.
Overtime mirrored the frantic pace of regulation until Haliburton's pivotal midrange shot drew a foul, resulting in the decisive three-point play.
Siakam contributed 17 points and nine rebounds, while Portis notched 17 points and an impressive 18 rebounds for the Bucks.