Three takeaways from Indiana Pacers streak-ending loss to the Milwaukee Bucks
The Indiana Pacers four-game regular season winning streak came to an end last night as they fell to the Milwaukee Bucks. The blue and gold lost by 14 points after a tough night on the defensive end.
"Everything's about the paint," Pacers assistant coach Lloyd Pierce said of Indiana's defense at halftime before talking about some necessary improvements on the Bally Sports Indiana broadcast. "Our ability to get back early, show a crowd, and maintain a crowd is going to be key for us."
That didn't happen. Instead, the Bucks scored the same number of points in the second half as they did in the first and maintained a lead throughout the night. Milwaukee avenged the two losses they had to Indiana earlier in the season.
Former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo played a big part in his team's success. He scored a career-high and franchise-record 64 points, and the Bucks outscored the Pacers by 29 in his minutes. He dominated all night and lived at the foul line.
The Pacers fell to 13-9 and have some major takeaways from a double-digit loss.
Indiana had no answers for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Pacers have always struggled to contain the Greek Freak. The 29-year old forward has scored 24 points per game against Indiana during his career, and he has 155 points in three games (51.7 per game) versus the blue and gold this season.
Last night was no different. Buddy Hield and Obi Toppin weren't able to slow the two-time MVP, and Aaron Nesmith, their best defensive option on Antetokounmpo, can only do so much. The Bucks superstar went off for 64 points, including 43 in the second half.
He stayed in the game late to grab some additional points on his pursuit of the franchise record, and the Pacers weren't able to slow him down even then. Antetokounmpo was on a mission last night, and he ended up taking 32 free throws in the game.
His dominance changed the game. It also led to some drama. The seven-time All-Star claimed that the Pacers took the game ball after the final buzzer, something that he wanted after a significant accomplishment. Indiana said that they grabbed the reserve ball for rookie center Oscar Tshiebwe after his first-ever points. It's unclear what actually happened, but Antetokounmpo was heated.
Perhaps that moment could lead to another big game from the star forward when the two teams meet again in early January.
The Pacers had a rough shooting night
The Pacers shot 11/36 from deep, which doesn't look bad on paper. But four of those makes came in the final six minutes when Indiana had emptied their bench. Jarace Walker, Jordan Nwora, and Ben Sheppard were drilling outside shots late.
Before they entered the action, the blue and gold were 7/30 from deep, good for 23.3%. On a night where they couldn't get enough stops, their outside shooting let them down.
The Pacers have been in the top-10 in three-point percentage for much of the season, but that skill failed them on Wednesday. They couldn't keep up with the Bucks, though Milwaukee had an off night from deep as well.
Pierce said at halftime that Indiana improving their shooting was going to be important. "I think down seven on the road to anybody, you feel good about your chances," he said. His team went 3/11 from deep in the second half before bringing in their third unit.
If the Pacers want to win a game in which they give up that many points, they have to shoot better from beyond the arc.
2023 first-round picks made plays in their minutes
Sheppard and Walker got nearly half a quarter of playing time to close the game, which is great development time for the 2023 first-round draft picks. They got to battle against many Milwaukee starters during that span.
The two rookies played so well that they helped cut the lead down to 10 late. The Bucks, who originally cleared their bench with 3:24 to go, had to bring their best players back in.
Sheppard was on fire. He scored eight points and canned two triples, his best skill in the pros. He's been solid during many of his performances so far this season. Walker, meanwhile, knocked down an outside shot and had two assists. His passing has been a positive this year.
Both of those players had encouraging stretches, and Tshiebwe made his debut in a regular season game. It was a fun, and impressive, night for Indiana's rookies who played on Wednesday.
The Pacers next hit the court on Friday night against the Washington Wizards.
- Pacers and Bucks have a postgame scrum involving game ball after 64 points from Giannis Antetokounmpo and Oscar Tshiebwe first NBA points. CLICK HERE.
- What the Indiana Pacers lost in the In-Season Tournament Finals they gained in experience. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers legend George McGinnis passes away at 73. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers winning streak ends as Giannis Antetokounmpo scores 64 points in Milwaukee Bucks victory. CLICK HERE.
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