In the National Basketball Association (NBA), one of the favorites of the season, the Milwaukee Bucks, is balancing on the edge of the precipice.
Doc Rivers’ students are away 113:126 (33:33, 31:34, 21:31, 28:28) fell to the Indiana Pacers and trailed in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series to four wins 1:3.
The Bucks entered the game without an injured leading duo Gianni Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Not only that, additional losses poured in during the match.
He gave in to his emotions after playing just seven minutes Bobby Portis and Andrew Nembhard. The opponents exchanged blows, A. Nembhard received a technical foul, and B. Portis was sent off the field.
Chris Middleton injured his knee in the third quarter, but the Milwaukee club continued to keep within a fighting distance (92:98). The Bucks’ resources ran out in the middle of the fourth quarter, when the hosts broke away 122-105 and the court was given to the reserve players.
Despite the injury, Kh.Middleton collected 25 points (9/18 two-pointers, 0/4 three-pointers, 7/8 free throws), 10 rebounds and a steal, 5 assists, 4 errors and 4 fouls in 40 minutes.
“Bucks” won the battle for the balls (42:38), but did not deal with the opponents’ long-range artillery. The Indiana club broke the franchise playoff record by making as many as 22 three-pointers (43 attempts, 51 percent accuracy).
The hosts were shining brightly Myles Turner – 38 minutes, 29 points (3/8 2-pointers, 7/9 3-pointers, 2/6 free throws), 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 5 fouls. Aukštaūgis also had the most impressive putting of the playoffs so far.
The fifth match of the series will be held in Milwaukee.
Bucks: Brook Lopez 27 (3/5 3-pointers, 9 rpg), Khris Middleton 25 (0/4 3-pointers, 10 rpg, 5 rpg), Malik Beasley 20 (4/7 3-pointers), Patrick Beverley 9 (4 assists), AJGreen 8.
Pacers: Myles Turner 29 (9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 7/9 3-pointers), Tyrese Haliburton 24 (4 rebounds, 4 assists, 5/12 3-pointers), Andrew Nembhard 15 (9 rebounds, 3/4 3-pointers), Pascal Siakam (9 rebounds, 7 rebounds, 0/4 3-pointers), Obi Toppin and Aaron Nesmith (3/5 3-pointers) each 13, Ben Sheppard and TJMcConnell (8 RBIs) 8 each.
Other results:
New York Knicks 97:92 Philadelphia 76ers (series 3:1)
Los Angeles Clippers 116:111 Dallas Mavericks (series 2:2)
Minnesota Timberwolves 122:116 Phoenix Suns (series 4:0)
“Long break”: Wolves lineup for next season – which players lived up to expectations and who disappointed, who is worth keeping, candidates to strengthen the squad in the summer, the question mark over Pacevičius’ future and the figure of Maksvytis
