Playing without Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard and facing elimination, the Milwaukee Bucks pummeled the Indiana Pacers, 115-92, to send the series back to Indiana.
A Pacers win felt like a mere formality early on after they built a 10-point lead. At the end of the first quarter, Indiana led 31-23. With 7:38 remaining in the second quarter, Milwaukee grabbed a 35-33 lead — a lead it wouldn’t surrender the rest of the way.
Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis led Milwaukee with 29 points apiece. For Portis, his performance was a great response following his ejection in the first quarter of Game 4. Portis finished the night +30 — only bested by teammate Patrick Beverley (+36) who added 13 points and 12 assists.
“I’m an emotional player, I wear my heart on my sleeve, I give my all every night and take pride of being available for my team,” Portis said. “Game 4, little scuffle, maybe crossed the line. I let my team down by getting ejected and not being available for my team. I owed them an apology for sure.”
“We have to find a way to win, whatever it takes,” Middleton said. “We’re still confident. Our backs were up against the wall tonight, we had a great home crowd that got us going. So we’re going to have to find a way. That’s the only way to put it, find a way to get this next one and force a Game 7.”
Looking forward, Antetokounmpo and Lillard are said to be nearing a return to the court. The former two-time MVP hasn’t played in three weeks as he nurses a calf strain, while Lillard has missed the last two games with an Achilles injury.
“I think they’re very, very, very close,” coach Doc Rivers said.
Following its early lead, Indiana didn’t come close to ending the series Tuesday night. Tyrese Haliburton led the team with 16 points and was a -14 on the night. The Pacers will look to finish the series Thursday night at home.
