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Pacers hit franchise playoff best 22 3-pointers, beat Bucks 126-113, take 3-1 lead in series

Indiana center Myles Turner found a simple lesson from last week’s Game 1 loss. When you find the openings, take shots without hesitating. Turner effectively put his new strategy to use Sunday night and it worked perfectly, again. He had his second straight 29-point game, finished with nine rebounds and four assists and made seven 3-pointers as the Pacers broke the franchise’s NBA playoff record with 22 3’s to beat Milwaukee 126-113 for a 3-1 lead in the best-of-sev

Quick Read

  • Turner’s Effective Strategy: Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner applied lessons from Game 1’s loss by taking decisive shots, resulting in a second consecutive 29-point game, with seven 3-pointers, against the Milwaukee Bucks.
  • Record-Breaking Performance: The Pacers set a franchise NBA playoff record with 22 three-pointers in their 126-113 victory over the Bucks, taking a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
  • Bucks’ Challenges: Milwaukee struggled without injured stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, raising concerns about their availability for the next game.
  • Indiana’s Dominance: The Pacers have won seven of nine matchups against the Bucks this season, with Tyrese Haliburton scoring 24 points and contributing to the team’s strong performance.
  • Bucks’ Depth Issues: Milwaukee faced additional setbacks with injuries to key players and the ejection of Bobby Portis Jr. in the first quarter, which impacted their depth and performance.
  • Game Dynamics: Despite a competitive first half, the Pacers pulled away in the third quarter, extending their lead significantly and maintaining control for the rest of the game.
  • Fan Support: Turner received chants from the fans, highlighting his key role in the Pacers’ success and emotional connection with the audience.

The Associated Press has the story:

Pacers hit franchise playoff best 22 3-pointers, beat Bucks 126-113, take 3-1 lead in series

Newslooks- INDIANAPOLIS (AP) —

Indiana center Myles Turner found a simple lesson from last week’s Game 1 loss. When you find the openings, take shots without hesitating. Turner effectively put his new strategy to use Sunday night and it worked perfectly, again. He had his second straight 29-point game, finished with nine rebounds and four assists and made seven 3-pointers as the Pacers broke the franchise’s NBA playoff record with 22 3’s to beat Milwaukee 126-113 for a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner celebrates with T.J. McConnell during the second half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

“After that first game, we watched a lot of film and I saw some of the holes in the defense and realized there were open shots we could exploit,” Turner said. “A lot of it is read and react, which is pretty much what our whole offense is.”

Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton (22) is fouled by Indiana Pacers’ T.J. McConnell (9) during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Turner’s play over the last two games has changed the series.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton (22) makes a pass against Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner (33) and Aaron Nesmith (23) during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

He has produced playoff career highs twice and on a team of sharp-shooters Sunday night might have been the best. While Indiana went 22 of 43 from beyond the arc, Turner was 7 of 9 and even heard his name chanted by fans who once thought he should be traded.

Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner reacts after hitting a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Instead, Turner has the Pacers heading back to Milwaukee for Game 5 with three straight wins and needing one more to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2014. The Bucks, meanwhile, are trying to avoid a second straight first-round exit.

Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner (33) dunks against Milwaukee Bucks’ Brook Lopez (11) during the second half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Sure, the Bucks played without two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard because of injuries Sunday. Antetokounmpo hasn’t played since April 9 when he strained his left calf, while Lillard had a walking boot protecting his right foot after hurting his Achilles tendon in Friday night’s overtime loss.

Both could miss Tuesday’s game, too.

Indiana Pacers’ Ben Sheppard, right, is called for an offensive foul against Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

But health has been less of a problem for Milwaukee in this season series than the matchups as Indiana has won seven of nine matchups.

And it was more of the same Sunday.

Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner (33) defends Milwaukee Bucks’ Brook Lopez (11) during the second half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Tyrese Haliburton scored 24 points, his second straight playoff career high, Andrew Nembhard finished with 15 points and nine rebounds and Pascal Siakam added 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis (9) leaves the court after being ejected during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

“We knew coming into the game we were going to have to trap more and do things we don’t traditionally do,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “I thought we hung in there, I really did.”

Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo cheers on his teammates during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series against the Indiana Pacers, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

They just couldn’t even the series. Brook Lopez led the Bucks with 27 points and nine rebounds, and Khris Middleton added 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists despite playing with a sprained right ankle and four fouls for much of the second half.

Part of the problem was depth, which could prove tricky again Tuesday night.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis (9) and Indiana Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard, left, get into an altercation during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Middleton hurt his left ankle during the second half, backup guard Pat Connaughton injured his ribs and starting forward Bobby Portis Jr. was ejected with 5:01 left in the first quarter after he and Andrew Nembhard were involved in a shoving match. Portis drew two technical fouls on the play, part of a six-technical first half.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton is defended by Indiana Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith during the second half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

“It was a tough break for us, there’s no doubt about it,” Rivers said when asked about Portis’ early departure. “Playoff games are high emotion, they really are and so that happened. You can’t get it back once it happened.”

Still, the Pacers struggled to take advantage, finishing the back-and-forth first half with just a 67-64 lead.

Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam (43) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks’ Brook Lopez (11) and Malik Beasley during the second half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

But after Lopez opened the third quarter with a basket, Haliburton responded with three straight 3-pointers to give the Pacers a 76-66 lead. The Bucks never completely recovered as Indiana extended the margin to 95-78 on Obi Toppin’s layup with 2:24 left in the quarter.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Khris Middleton (22) shoots over Indiana Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith (23) during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Milwaukee finally started cutting into the deficit late in the third quarter and opened the fourth with seven straight points to make it 98-92.

Indiana answered with a 10-2 run to rebuild a 108-94 cushion with 7:25 to play and Turner helped put it away with a couple of late 3-pointers before both teams put their starters on the bench.

Milwaukee Bucks’ Pat Connaughton (24) goes to the basket against Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton (0) as Khris Middleton sets a pick during the first half of Game 4 of the first round NBA playoff basketball series, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

“I didn’t realize when I hit the 3 they were chanting my name. I saw it afterward,” Turner said. “But it was very special, knowing how much this city means to me and with my family here, it was very special.”

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