INDIANAPOLIS — The defending NBA Champs, Milwaukee Bucks, stepped off of the bus with all of the smoke in their pockets and gave it to the Indiana Pacers with no problem. When the lights came back on they were getting back on the bus with a 119-109 win. They’ve won five in a row and 9 out of 10 against the Blue and Gold.
Both Indiana and Milwaukee walked in the arena hungry. From the opening tip they went after each other in the opening quarter trading buckets and battling the boards. As the smoke was clearing on the opening quarter with 2.5 seconds left. Khris Middleton knocked down a three pointer with an And-One that put the Bucks up 34-30. Indiana looked as though they were prepared to challenge the champs at the newly renovated Gainbridge Fieldhouse but reality quickly set in.
However, the Bucks slowly started to chip away at the Pacers going on a 15-9 run to start the second quarter going up 49-39 on a Giannis coast to coast finish with a massive dunk. Ole boy was definitely there to make a statement finishing with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists just to keep everyone honest.
Indiana never gave up waking right back up with Chris Duarte and Domnatas Sabonis doing work to close the gap 60-57 with 2:19 left in the half.
Giannis went right back to work taking boyz to the rack with ease as the Bucks went up 64-57 with just over a minute to go. They went into the break 66-57 over the Pacers.
Milwaukee picked up where they left off coming out of the break with the same intensity making Indiana play catch up entire third quarter.
Halfway through the fourth quarter the Pacers cut the Bucks lead to 5 points, 107-102, after Milwaukee led by 18 points. It was a valiant effort but the champs were just too much for Indiana.
Not only did Giannis drop off his 30, 10 and 9 but his homeboy Khris Middleton came through with 27 points. Grayson All dropped off 19 as well.
Indiana was led by Malcolm Brogdon’s 25 points followed by Domantas Sabonis’ 21 and Chris Daurte’s 18. Great effort but it wasn’t enough.
