The Milwaukee Bucks managed to stay alive in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers by routing them 115-92 in Game 5. Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each scored 29 points in the win, with Portis also adding 10 rebounds. Middleton had his third consecutive game with at least 25 points and contributed 12 rebounds and five assists. The Pacers still lead the series 3-2, with Game 6 set to take place in Indianapolis. The Bucks, missing injured stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, were able to prevent the Pacers from clinching the series on Tuesday.
Antetokounmpo has been out with a calf injury since April 9, and Lillard sat out the game due to an Achilles tendon injury. Despite missing key players, the Bucks managed to secure the win with a balanced effort. Malik Beasley contributed 18 points, Pat Beverley had 13 points and 12 assists, and sparked a critical second-quarter run that helped the Bucks take the lead for good. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 16 points, while Myles Turner added 13 and Obi Toppin, Aaron Nembhard, and Pascal Siakam each scored 12.
The Pacers started the game strong, shooting 7 of 12 from beyond the arc in the first 10 minutes, building a lead of 31-21. However, the Bucks responded with an 18-2 run fueled by Beverley’s playmaking, which irritated the Pacers and energized the crowd. Beverley’s contributions were crucial as he scored 12 points in the second quarter, helping the Bucks establish a 53-48 lead at halftime. Milwaukee then scored the first nine points of the third period, further extending their lead over Indiana.
Despite a brief rally by the Pacers, the Bucks managed to pull away in the third quarter, outscoring Indiana 20-8 over a 5½ minute stretch to secure the victory. The win was significant for Milwaukee, as they have never won a series after being down 3-1. With the Fiserv Forum crowd chanting “Bucks In Seven,” the team showed resilience despite missing key players. The balanced effort and strong defensive performance, holding the Pacers to their lowest point total of the season, were key factors in the Bucks’ success in Game 5.
The series now heads to Game 6 in Indianapolis, where the Pacers will have another opportunity to close out the series and advance to the next round of the playoffs. The Bucks will look to continue their momentum and force a Game 7 back in Milwaukee. Middleton and Portis will be expected to continue their scoring prowess, while the Bucks’ role players will need to step up in the absence of Antetokounmpo and Lillard. The outcome of Game 6 will determine whether the Bucks can complete their comeback or if the Pacers will move on to the next round for the first time since 2014.
