With his third triple-double of the season, Antetokounmpo recorded his 38th career with 30 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists. In their four meetings with Indiana this season, the two-time MVP is averaging 46.3 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, but the Bucks are 1-3 against Indiana.

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The Indiana Pacers defeated Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee 122-113 on Monday, ending the Bucks’ 15-game home winning run. Tyrese Haliburton finished with 26 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds.

Indiana’s bench helps Haliburton as the Pacers defeat the Bucks 122-113, snapping their home winning streak.

On Monday night, the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers squared off to begin 2024 for both clubs. The two teams had not faced one other since their altercation following a game in Milwaukee last month. The contest between the two teams was starting to take on an emotional dimension.

Milwaukee was the team that dominated the first part of the game. Indiana’s first possession of the ball was 2/10 as the Bucks were ahead 14-4. In less than four minutes, Jalen Smith was 1/5 for the blue and gold, and the squad wasn’t producing many high-quality shots.

The halt did little to improve the situation. Over the next few minutes, Indiana improved a little bit, putting pressure on the rim and combining some stops. However, it wasn’t sufficient to narrow the lead. Actually, the reverse occurred. With 2:47 left in the first quarter, the Bucks had gone on a 15–10 run and were ahead by fifteen.

The Bucks led by seven at the end of the quarter. The Pacers second unit benefited from significant minutes from T.J. McConnell and Benedict Mathurin, who helped cut into the Milwaukee lead.

With more aggressive play early in the second quarter, the Pacers were able to reduce their disadvantage.

For the following few minutes, the two teams exchanged blows, with the lead changing hands several times. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard checked in for the Bucks with 6:37 remaining in the half and Indiana leading by four points. The two celebrities intended to attempt to alter the game.

The best pictures from Fiserv Forum’s Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers game

Giving Milwakee new life didn’t take them long. The Bucks were back in the lead at 49-47 less than two minutes later, forcing the Pacers to call a timeout. When the key players from the home team were on the court, Indiana had to find a way to stay competitive.

Towards the end of the first half, they were unable to accomplish so. Indiana was put under pressure by Lillard and Antetokounmpo, who went on a significant run that culminated with a 21-11 victory. Milwaukee was up six points at the half, 62–56. At the half, Mathurin led the Pacers with 12 points.

The Pacers were having trouble for a variety of reasons, but their outside shooting was the main one. With four minutes remaining in the third session, Indiana was 4/27 (14.8%) from deep. There was nothing they could buy to jump far.

The San Diego Union-Tribune: “Haliburton receives assistance from Indiana’s reserves as the Pacers win 122-113, ending the Bucks’ home win streak.”

The Pacers’ following possession ended with a goal from Haliburton, and their bench held up well against Milwaukee’s second unit. Indiana whittled the lead down to four in a heartbeat. By the end of the third session, they were playing really well.

The Pacers started the fourth and final quarter with strong play, cutting the Bucks advantage to one point in less than two minutes. Once again, their reserves were producing outstanding basketball, which compelled Milwaukee to alter their lineup.

With 10:39 left in the game, Antetokounmpo returned and his team was ahead one point. On their subsequent possession, Indiana took the lead, but the Bucks immediately responded.

It remained tied with six minutes remaining. The game was tough since neither team was able to gain any ground on the other in the fourth quarter.

But Indiana persisted. In the closing minutes of the game, they were attacking Malik Beasley frequently and were producing quality shots as a result.

The blue and gold were ahead by eight with one minute remaining. To take control of the game, they would just need one more bucket or one more stop.

Myles Turner scored two crucial points for them at the foul line, so all they had to do to win was play the free throw game properly in the final seconds.

The Pacers succeeded. Turner made two more after McConnell took down one, giving the blue and gold an unassailable lead. They managed to win 122-113, improving their record to 18-14.

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Despite Giannis’ triple-double, the Pacers end the Bucks’ winning run at home.

With the victory, Indiana won the season series against the Bucks for the fourth time in a row. Haliburton led Indiana with 26 points and 11 assists, while Mathurin finished with 25 points. On Wednesday night, the two clubs will play again in Indiana.