Siakam, Haliburton's double-doubles
lead Pacers past Bucks 123-115 for 2-0 series lead
[April 23, 2025]
By MICHAEL MAROT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton played the
perfect pair for the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. Again.
Now they're two wins away from ousting the Milwaukee Bucks in the
first round of the playoffs. Again.
Siakam had 24 points, 11 rebounds and a crucial 3-pointer to start
Indiana's decisive final run, while Haliburton added 21 points and
12 assists to lead the Indiana Pacers past the Milwaukee Bucks
123-115 for a 2-0 series lead.
“He's been a steady presence for us all year, so glad that he's on
our team,” Haliburton said, referring to Siakam. “I think he could
be the most underrated player in the NBA to be honest. I think what
he does on a nightly basis is amazing. So consistent, so steady.”
The Bucks are learning that the hard way.
Indiana has won five of the last six playoff games between the
teams, leading this one wire to wire. And against a team that won
three of this season's four regular-season matchups, the Pacers
still haven't trailed since the early minutes of the first quarter
in Game 1.
They’ll meet for 18th time in the last two seasons on Friday, when
Game 3 is played in Milwaukee.
“It's kind of hard to play from behind,” two-time league MVP Gianis
Antetokounmpo said after finishing with 34 points, 18 rebounds and
seven assists. “We need to be more urgent. Both games, both halves
they were really able to set the tone, get that feel. Need to play
with more urgency at the start of the game, start of the half.”
Bucks guard Damain Lillard had 14 points in his first game back from
deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. He was 4 of 13 from the
field in 37 minutes, playing for the first time since March 18 — and
for the first time in the playoffs with Antetokounmpo, who missed
all six games in the playoffs last season with a calf injury.
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Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives on Indiana Pacers
guard Andrew Nembhard (2) during the first half of a first-round NBA
basketball playoff game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Bobby Portis Jr. added 28 points, including six 3s,
and 12 rebounds for Milwaukee.
The game had a little bit of everything.'
There was a scuffle in front of the Pacers bench that led to double
technical fouls in the first half, words between multiple players in
the final minutes that drew more technical fouls, players repeatedly
hitting the floor, a steady of 10-second counts on Antetokounmpo's
free throws, a little zone defense, a smattering of full-court
pressure and, of course, plenty of points.
And a crowd featuring WNBA star Caitlin Clark and her Indiana Fever
teammates, Super Bowl winner Reggie Wayne, 2022 Indianapolis 500
champion Marcus Ericsson and former Pacers star Lance Stephenson all
got a front-row seat to one of the most entertaining playoff games
so far.
On the court, the Pacers were in complete control after they built a
31-16 lead just 7 1/2 minutes into the game until the Bucks went on
a late 13-0 run to get within 115-103 with 2:31 left.
That’s when Siakam hit the 3 to spur the 8-2 run to close it out.
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