INDIANAPOLIS — With the reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, missing his second straight game due to the birth of his first child. The league leading Milwaukee Bucks didn’t look like the team with the best record in the NBA on Wednesday night in Indy. When the smoke finally cleared the Pacers had snapped a six-game losing streak to escape a fourth quarter comeback by the Bucks 118-111.
The Blue and Gold were up by as much as 25 points at the break but allowed the Bucks to fight their way back into it in the fourth quarter.
Indiana jumped out of the ride and went up 19-7 playing with crazy energy. TJ Warren scored 8 of his 35 points within the first seven minutes of the game setting the tone for the night.
Myles Turner came out shooting that thang including being able to score from behind the arc. At the end of the first quarter Indiana was up 32-17 shooting 68 percent from the field and 100 percent (3-3) from behind the arc. NUTS!!! In my Ice Cube voice, “Today was a good day!” as I’m watching this foolishness. No Giannis! No way the Bucks are winning this game tonight.
It’s crazy how one man changes a team’s ability to compete at the highest level for four quarters. Indiana went up as much as 20 points by the 9:13 mark of the second quarter up 45-25 and went into the break up 68-45.
Milwaukee wasn’t going out like suckas so they continued to fight and literally cut the deficit to five points early in the fourth quarter. They had to show the world that they were still a great team without Giannis.
At the 8:18 mark of the quarter the Bucks had cut the Pacers lead to 90-86. However, Indiana went on a 10-0 run to keep them at bay which included back-to-back three-pointers by Jeremy Lamb and TJ Warren. That pretty much sealed the deal and put the Bucks out of their misery.
Indiana finished with six players in double figures. Again Warren led all scorers with 35 points, Malcolm Brogdon did crazy work putting up a double-double with 17 points and he matched a career high 13 assists.
Domantas Sabonis came through on his way to the All-Star Game in the Chi this weekend with 15 points. Myles Turner had 14 and both Victor Oladipo and Jeremy Lamb dropped off 13 apiece.
It was good for the Pacers to finally get a win going into the All-Star break.
