T. Halliburton grabbed the ball and, after changing the direction of the mover several times, organized a winning raid in the third game of the first round of the NBA playoffs in Indianapolis.
1.6 seconds left to play. before the end of overtime, the Pacers forward scored a two-pointer and added a penalty, and the hosts beat the Milwaukee Bucks 121-118 to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference series to four wins.
“You know, I was determined to quit no matter what,” Haliburton said. “As soon as I saw that Khris Middelton was holding Pascal (Siakam) and he said something to Patrick (Beverly), and he turned his head, I immediately reacted, I got a path to the basket and finally I made the shot.”
T.Haliburtonas hit only 8 of 22 shots in this match, and only one of 12 three-pointers.
But he had 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds as the star of the game after two-time MVP Gianni Antetokounmpo missed the game with a left hamstring injury.
Myles Turner added 29 points and 9 rebounds for the winners.
The “Pacers” team, in which Domantas Sabonis has played for several years and was traded to T. Haliburton a couple of seasons ago, aims to win the first series in the playoffs since 2014, when they reached the Eastern Conference finals.
“Bucks” was not saved by Kh. Middleton, who reached his playoff record – 42 points.
The veteran’s 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left in the game. in the fourth quarter, had led to overtime. Kh. Middleton was also active in it – he tied the score with a three-pointer with 6.7 seconds left in the game, but missed his last three-pointer at the buzzer when he could have pushed the team into the second overtime.
Pacers: Myles Turner 29, Tyrese Haliburton 18 (16 assists, 10 assists), Pascal Siakam 17;
bucks: Khris Middleton 42 (10 rebounds), Damian Lillard 28, Bobby Portis 17.
