Pacers beat Bucks, take commanding 3-1 lead in first-round playoff series

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Pacers picked up a wire-to-wire, 129-103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum Sunday night. With the win, the Pacers took a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Bucks.




Center Myles Turner led Indiana to victory with 23 points and four blocks. Guard Andrew Nembhard scored 20 points, while point guard Tyrese Haliburton contributed 17 points and 15 assists in the winning effort.




The Pacers made 18 3-pointers, shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc.




Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 15 rebounds for Milwaukee.




A 3-pointer from guard Aaron Nesmith put the Pacers up double digits with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter. Indiana led, 30-24, after the first 12 minutes of action.




Indiana extended the lead in the second quarter despite some chippiness, which has become common between the two rival teams. Nesmith and guard Kevin Porter received technical fouls, while Haliburton and forward Bobby Portis got in each other's faces after Haliburton hit a 3-pointer to put the Pacers up 63-50. Indiana led by 11 at halftime.




The Bucks tried to rally in third quarter, but the Pacers kept answering. Haliburton converted a wild three-point play after a Nesmith block on the defensive end. Then, forward Obi Toppin made a layup with 0.2 seconds left to give the Pacers a 101-84 lead after three quarters of play.




Nembhard put Indiana up 20 less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, putting the game out of reach for the Bucks.




Bucks point guard Damian Lillard went down with a lower leg injury in the first quarter and did not return to the game. Lillard missed Game 1 of the best-of-seven series and the last 14 games of the regular season with a blood clot in his right calf.




The Pacers have never lost a playoff series after taking a 3-1 series lead. They are 8-0 in series where they take a 3-1 lead.




Indiana can eliminate Milwaukee from championship contention for the second straight season on Tuesday. Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Playoff series will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 6 p.m.





via: https://fox59.com/sports/pacers/pacers-dominate-bucks-in-game-4-to-take-3-1-series-lead/