In the first playoff game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse since April 21, 2019, the Indiana Pacers beat the Bucks 121-118 in overtime Friday evening to go up 2-1 in the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

With 1.6 seconds remaining, Tyrese Haliburton scored the game-winning basket for the Pacers, drawing a foul call from Pat Beverley. Indiana won when Khris Middleton’s 24-footer at the buzzer struck the iron after Haliburton’s free throw attempt.

The Pacers were part of the “bubble” playoffs in 2020, so it had been a long time for Pacers fans to see a home playoff game. It was a raucous atmosphere despite an early start on a weekday, with WNBA No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark getting things going by revving a faux Indy Car engine before tip-off.

The Bucks never really looked comfortable to begin with in starting the game 2 for 10 from the floor, and the Pacers got out running and led by as many as 19 in the first half while shooting over 50% for much of the opening 24 minutes.

Indiana went up by double digits in the first eight minutes of play and though the Milwaukee cut its deficits to under double digits at a couple of points in the second and third quarters, they didn’t fully tilt the game back to its favor until late in the third and early fourth when it went on a 16-4 to take its first lead of the game with over nine minutes to play in the game.

At that point the game truly slowed down for a physical back-and-forth affair with six lead changes in the final 8:40, with Middleton, Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis leading the Bucks offense and Pat Beverley and Brook Lopez cementing the defensive effort.

Middleton’s clutch shooting helped the Bucks force overtime at 111-111 and he scored all seven of the team’s points in the extra session.

Middleton scored 42 points and 10 rebounds while Lillard had 28 points and Portis had 17. Lopez had 14 and Beverley added 11.

Middleton’s 42-point effort wasn’t enough, as the Pacers took a 2-1 series lead after a 121-118 overtime win.

Haliburton had a triple-double with 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds. Myles Turner led the team with 29 points while Pascal Siakam had 17, Andrew Nembhard 16 and Obi Toppin 15.

Game 4 will be Sunday evening at 6 p.m. CDT.