In a collection with All-Stars on each side, it was Indiana’s reserves who helped the Pacers attain the second spherical for the primary time since 2014.
Backup level guard T.J. McConnell put up 20 factors and 9 assists in Indiana’s 120-98 Sport 6 win. McConnell had 4 of Indiana’s seven steals and made each his three-pointers, all his free throws and 7 of his 9 pictures.
He was joined by fellow reserve Obi Toppin, who scored 21 factors and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench. Toppin shot 3-of-10 from three-point vary however hit all 5 of his two-pointers, a number of hustle buckets and dunks.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo out and Damian Lillard coping with an damage, the Pacers’ depth and power merely overwhelmed the short-handed Bucks. Tyrese Haliburton had 10 assists as Indiana collected a staggering 33 in Sport 6, in comparison with Milwaukee’s 19.
However finally, Indiana could have merely had Milwaukee’s quantity this yr. In 11 video games spanning the common season, play-in event and playoffs, Indiana went 8-3 in opposition to Milwaukee.
The veteran Bucks, with an older, often-disinterested defensive backcourt, had been a horrible matchup for the younger Pacers. When their backups had been going for 20-plus factors, Milwaukee merely had no likelihood.
