INDIANAPOLIS – Led by inspired performances from their supporting players, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 120-98 to eliminate them in six games.
Obi Toppin and TJ McConnell led the charge with performances of 21 and 20 points against the Bucks. McConnell added nine assists, four steals and two rebounds.
Deprived of Giannis Antetokounmpo for this entire series, the Bucks will almost never have been in the game in this meeting without a future for Doc Rivers’ troop.
Absent during Game 5, Damian Lillard was back in action for the Bucks. He led his team with 28 points.
The Pacers won a very first series since 2014. They then lost in the association final against the Miami Heat of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle wins his first series since the 2011 final against the Heat. At the helm of the Dallas Mavericks, Carlisle had lost his last six series in the first round.
Tyrese Haliburton scored a double of 17 points and 10 assists, his third against the Bucks. The playmaker, however, had a tough game from the line three times, making just two of his 10 attempts.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers starters with 19 points. Aaron Nesmith added 15 and Canadian Andrew Nembhard scored 14.
Without their two big stars, the Bucks managed to avoid elimination with a decisive 115-92 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday. Lillard’s return, however, was not enough to force a final match.
The Pacers’ supporting players amassed 50 of the team’s 120 points in this meeting. Without Giannis, the Bucks’ depth has struggled a lot. Four of the five starters had at least 14 points, but the rest of the Bucks players combined to score a meager 16 points.
