Game Preview: Pacers vs. Bucks (Game 3)

Friday, April 26 at 5:30 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse

After splitting two games in Milwaukee, the Pacers return to Indianapolis to host two crucial playoff games this weekend at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Sixth-seeded Indiana secured home-field advantage in the best-of-seven series with the third-seeded Bucks thanks to a 125-108 win in Game 2.

But now the Blue & Gold must defend their home court, starting with Game 3 on Friday night. Friday's game will be the first playoff game played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse since 2019 (the Pacers made the playoffs in 2020, but the postseason that year was held entirely in the NBA bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Orlando).

Pacers center Myles Turner is one of only two players still on that team's roster. Less than an hour after Tuesday's win, Turner was already looking ahead to Friday.

“I’m just excited to get back to Gainbridge,” Turner said. “There will be a hell of a great atmosphere there. I've waited a long time to give the home fans what they reserved. And I’m just really, really looking forward to this atmosphere.”

PLAYOFF CENTRAL: Follow Indiana's postseason run at Pacers.com/Playoffs >>

The Pacers are on a roll after a standout performance in Game 2. Indiana shot 55.6 percent from the field, made 16 of 36 (44.4 percent) from 3-point range, scored 52 points in the game and dished out 38 assists while committing just six turnovers.

Although the Blue & Gold are a young team with limited playoff experience, veteran forward Pascal Siakam has provided a reliable and calming presence early in this series. Siakam played in 61 playoff games over seven seasons in Toronto (more than twice as much playoff experience as any other player on the roster) and his first two postseason appearances as a Pacer were his best games to date.

He was the lone bright spot in Indiana's 109-95 loss in Game 1, dropping 36 points and 13 rebounds. He then scored 37 points, 11 points and six assists in Game 2, joining Reggie Miller as the only player in franchise history to score 35 or more points in consecutive NBA playoff games.

RELATED: Siakam leads the attack as the Pacers maintain their cool, balanced streak >>

The biggest question mark of this series is if and when Giannis Antetokounmpo will return to the Bucks lineup. The two-time MVP was forced to miss the first two games of the series due to a calf injury and his status for Friday is unknown.

Without Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have relied heavily on eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard. Lillard has largely delivered, dropping 35 points in the first half of Game 1 and 26 points in the first two quarters of Game 2. But in both games he appears to run out of energy in the second half.

If Antetokounmpo is able to return, it would ease the burden on Lillard. If not, the Bucks will likely have to rely on other players to share more points to win a game in Indianapolis.

Pacers: G – Tyrese Haliburton, G – Andrew Nembhard, F – Aaron Nesmith, F – Pascal Siakam, C – Myles Turner

Bucks: G – Damian Lillard, G – Patrick Beverley, F – Khris Middleton, F – Bobby Portis, C – Brook Lopez

Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin is out (torn labrum in right shoulder)

Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo – TBA (left soleus strain)

April 23, 2024: Indiana's offense got back on track as the Pacers cruised to a 125-108 victory over the Bucks in Game 2 at Fiserv Forum.

The Blue & Gold won all four quarters and led the entire second half. They led 92-88 with 11 minutes left, but outscored Milwaukee 23-4 over the next five minutes to put the game away.

Pascal Siakam led the way with 37 points on 16 of 23 shooting, 11 rebounds and six assists. Myles Turner added 22 points, seven boards, six assists and three blocks, Andrew Nembhard scored 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting and Tyrese Haliburton recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 assists.

Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 34 points, going 10 of 21 from the field, 6 of 13 from 3-point range and 8 of 9 from the free throw line. Brook Lopez added 22 points while going 6-for-7 from beyond the arc, Khris Middleton scored 15 points and six assists and Bobby Portis contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds.

TV: ESPN – Mark Jones (play-by-play), Hubie Brown (analyst), Monica McNutt (sideline reporter)
Bally Sports Indiana – Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan – Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)

The Pacers host the Bucks in Game 3 on Friday, April 26 at 5:30 p.m. ET, the first playoff game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse since 2019. Find tickets >>