Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists for his 38th career triple-double, and third this season. The two-time MVP is averaging 46.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in four meetings with Indiana this season, but the Bucks are 1-3 in those games.

Tyrese Haliburton had 26 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and the Indiana Pacers beat Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee 122-113 on Monday, stopping the Bucks’ 15-game home winning streak.

The Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks faced off on Monday night to kick off 2024 for both teams. It was the first meeting between the two squads since their scuffle in Milwaukee last month after a game. It was shaping up to be an emotional battle between the two teams.

In the early portions of the game, Milwaukee was the dominant squad. Indiana started the night 2/10 from the field while the Bucks surged ahead 14-4. Jalen Smith was 1/5 for the blue and gold in under four minutes, and the team in general wasn’t generating quality shots.

The stoppage didn’t help turn things around. Indiana was a little better over the next few minutes, mixing in some stops and putting pressure on the rim. But it wasn’t enough to cut into the lead. In fact, the opposite happened. The Bucks went on a 15-10 run and were up 15 with 2:47 remaining in the first quarter.

The quarter ended with the Bucks up by seven. T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin gave the Pacers second unit important minutes and helped slash into the Milwaukee lead.

The second quarter started with more intense play, and the Pacers were able to cut into the deficit.

The two teams traded blows for the next few minutes, with the lead changing hands multiple times along the way. With Indiana up by four with 6:37 left in the half, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard checked in for the Bucks. The two stars were going to try to change the game.

It didn’t take them long to give Milwakee new life. Less than two minutes later, the Bucks were back ahead on the scoreboard at 49-47, prompting a timeout from the Pacers. Indiana needed to find a way to keep up when the home team’s stars were on the court.

They were unable to do so down the stretch of the first half. Lillard and Antetokounmpo continued to pushish Indiana and went on a sizable run, which finished at 21-11. Milwaukee led by six at halftime at 62-56. Mathurin’s 12 points paced the Pacers at the break.

There were many reasons why the Pacers were struggling, but their perimeter shooting was at the top of the list. Indiana was 4/27 (14.8%) from deep with four minutes left in the third frame. They couldn’t buy a long-range jumper.

Haliburton scored on the Pacers next possession, and their bench continued to be solid against Milwaukee’s second unit. In the blink of an eye, Indiana cut the lead down to four. They were playing great late in the third period.

The fourth and final quarter opened with good play from the Pacers, who cut the Bucks lead down to one in under two minutes. Their reserves were playing fantastic basketball once again and were forcing Milwaukee to change their rotation.

Antetokounmpo checked back into the game with his team up by one point with 10:39 remaining. Indiana grabbed a lead on their next possession, but the Bucks quickly answered.

With six minutes to go, it was still tied. Neither squad was able to create separation in the fourth quarter, which made for an intense game.

Indiana kept pushing, though. They were attacking Malik Beasley often in the final stretch of the game, and they were getting good shots out of it.

With one minute left, the blue and gold led by eight. They either needed one more bucket or one more stop and they would have control of the game.

They got two important points from Myles Turner at the foul line, meaning they just needed to play the free throw game well down the stretch and they were going to win.

The Pacers got it done. McConnell knocked one down before Turner made two more, and the blue and gold had an insurmountable lead. They held on to win 122-113 and improved to 18-14.

It was Indiana’s fourth-straight win, and they clinched the season series over the Bucks. Mathurin had 25 points while Haliburton led Indiana with 26 and 11 assists. The two teams will meet again on Wednesday night in Indiana.