Pacers send Giannis-less Bucks home with 120-98 and 4-2 in series

Obi Toppin’s 21 points and T.J. McConnell’s 20 helped propel the Indiana Pacers to a convincing 120-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. With this win, the sixth-seeded Pacers secured a 4-2 series victory over the Bucks, advancing to the semis, where they will face New York Knicks.

The Pacers’ bench played a crucial role, outscoring the Bucks’ bench 50-10. Pascal Siakam contributed 19 points, Tyrese Haliburton added 17 points and 10 assists, and Aaron Nesmith chipped in with 15 points.

The Pacers’ bench came up clutch in Game 6 vs. the Bucks 😳 pic.twitter.com/1vJG8zAx3u

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 3, 2024

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Indiana’s efficient shooting, with a 54.1% field goal percentage, coupled with their dominance in fastbreak points (21-6), proved too much for Milwaukee to handle.

Despite the return of Damian Lillard, who scored 28 points after missing two games due to right Achilles tendinitis, and strong performances from Brook Lopez (20 points) and Bobby Portis (20 points, 15 rebounds), the third-seeded Bucks struggled from beyond the arc, making just 7 of 27 attempts (25.9%).

The absence of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was sidelined with a calf injury sustained on April 9, posed a significant challenge for Milwaukee throughout the series.