Tuesday, April 30 at 9:30 PM ET at Fiserv Forum
Game Preview
After reeling off three straight wins, including two at Gainbridge Fieldhouse over the weekend, the Pacers have a chance to close out their best-of-seven first round series with the Bucks in Game 5 on Tuesday night in Milwaukee.
The sixth-seeded Pacers have taken firm control of the series by dictating the tempo over the last three games. In their three victories, the Blue & Gold have averaged 124 points while shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from 3-point range.
In a 126-113 victory on Sunday night in Game 4, the Pacers went 22-for-43 (51.2 percent from beyond the arc). Myles Turner — the longest-tenured Pacer — was spectacular in the victory, going 7-for-9 from distance while racking up 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.
The Bucks have played all series playing without two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is recovering from a calf injury suffered late in the regular season. Milwaukee also was without All-Star point guard Damian Lillard on Sunday after he reaggravated a lingering Achilles injury in Game 3. All-Star forward Khris Middleton has also been playing with a sprained right ankle.
It remains to be seen who will be available for the Bucks in Game 5. Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo went through a workout on Sunday morning that left him "optimistic" that the star forward could potentially return in the series, while he also said that Lillard could be back as well. Whether that means either will be available for Game 5 remains to be seen.
PLAYOFF CENTRAL: Follow Indiana's Postseason Run at Pacers.com/Playoffs >>
No matter who goes, the Pacers will face a tough test on Tuesday trying to close out a series in a road environment against a veteran team. Middleton, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton all were members of the Bucks' 2021 NBA championship team, while Patrick Beverley and Jae Crowder also have extensive playoff experience.
For the young Pacers, winning the series would be a significant milestone. The Blue & Gold have undergone a significant roster rebuild over the past couple seasons, building around All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton. This is the first playoff experience for many players on the roster, including Haliburton, but they've risen to the moment and are now on the precipice of leading the Pacers into the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time in a decade.
Projected Starters
Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Aaron Nesmith, F - Pascal Siakam, C - Myles Turner
Bucks: G - Patrick Beverley, G - Malik Beasley, F - Khris Middleton, F - Bobby Portis, C - Brook Lopez
Injury Report
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton - questionable (lower back spasms), Bennedict Mathurin - out (right shoulder labral tear)
Bucks: Patrick Beverley - probable (right oblique muscle strain), Khris Middleton - probable (right ankle sprain), Giannis Antetokounmpo - doubtful (left soleus strain), Damian Lillard - doubtful (right Achilles tendinitis)
Last Meeting
April 28, 2024: The Pacers set a franchise playoff record by making 22 3-pointers in a 126-113 win over the Bucks in Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers led by three points at halftime, but just a 14-2 run late in the third quarter to open up a 17-point lead. Milwaukee got back within six in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, but eight straight points from Myles Turner (including back-to-back threes) pushed Indiana's lead to double digits, where it remained for the rest of the night.
The Blue & Gold finished the night 22-for-43 (51.2 percent) from beyond the arc. Turner led the charge by going 7-for-9 from distance on his way to 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. Turner's seven threes tied the franchise record for most 3-pointers in a playoff game, joining a list that includes Chuck Person (1991), Reggie Miller (1995, 2000), Paul George (2014), and Bojan Bogdanovic (2018).
Six Pacers scored in double figures in Game 4. Tyrese Haliburton scored 24 points, Andrew Nembhard tallied 15 points and nine assists, while the trio of Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, and Obi Toppin all tallied 13 points.
Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 27 points on 12-of-18 shooting and nine rebounds. Khris Middleton added 25 points, 10 boards, and five assists.
Noteworthy
- With a win on Tuesday, the Pacers would improve to 3-0 in playoff series against the Bucks. Indiana previously beat Milwaukee in the first round in 1999 and 2000.
- The last time the Pacers won a playoff series was in 2014, when they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals by defeating Atlanta in the first round and Washington in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
- Bucks forward Bobby Portis was ejected at the 5:01 mark in the first quarter of Game 3 after shoving and then slapping Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard.
- Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has 66 career playoff wins, tied with Billy Cunningham for 16th place on the NBA's all-time list.
Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)
TV: TNT - Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Greg Anthony (analyst), Stephanie Ready (sideline reporter)
Bally Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Tickets
Secure playoff tickets by placing a deposit on a 2024-25 season ticket package or get exclusive presale access for future rounds by subscribing to Pacers Insider. Get more details at Pacers.com/Playoffs.