Playing without Gianni Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers 113-126 (33-33, 31-34, 21-31, 28-28) on the road and now trail 1-3.
The fifth and possibly final game of the series will be played in Milwaukee. If successful, the Pacers would reach the second round of the playoffs after a ten-year hiatus, while the Bucks risk a second straight season in the first round.
In the winning match, the Pacers broke the team record by making 22 three-pointers, and center Myles Turner contributed the most to that, scoring 29 points (7/9 three-pointers).
The Pacers pulled away in the third quarter after three straight 3-pointers by Tyrese Haliburton took a double-digit lead and soon pulled within 95-78.
The Bucks were still close (92:98), but the home team responded with a 10:2 run and decided the winner of the match.
Pacers: M. Turner 29 (7/9 tr., 9 rpg., 4 refs), T. Haliburton 24, A. Nembhard 15, P. Siakam, A. Nesmith and O. Toppin 13 each.
Bucks: B. Lopez 27 (9 refs), K. Middleton 25 (10 refs), M. Beasley 20.
In another head-to-head between the teams of the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 97:92 (17:27, 30:22, 30:27, 20:16) in the guest territory and also found themselves one step away from the next stage – they lead the series by 3: 1.
The next meeting will be held in New York.
Jalen Brunson, who broke the career record for points in the playoffs, led the Knicks to victory. The defender has 47 points (16/26 doubles, 2/8 triples, 9/11 penalties) and 10 assists.
The 76ers pulled within 89-90 with five minutes to play, but scored just three points the rest of the time, and the Knicks pulled away after points from Miles McBride and J. Brunson, 95-89.
76ers: J. Embiid 27 (10 rebounds, 6 assists), T. Maxey 23, K. Oubre 19.
Knicks: J. Brunson 47 (10 rebounds), OG Anunoby 16 (14 rebounds), M. McBride 13.
