The Milwaukee Bucks had their backs against the wall entering Game 3 of this first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, and they responded in style. The Bucks dominated the Pacers in the second half to come away with a 117-101 win at Fiserv Forum and reduce the series deficit to 2-1.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was once again magnificent against the Pacers, finishing with 37 points (14-19 FG), 12 rebounds, six assists, and one steal. Antetokounmpo got help from an unlikely source on the night, as Gary Trent Jr. exploded for 37 points (11-16 FG), three rebounds, and four steals. Trent’s heroics compensated for Damian Lillard’s struggles, with the star guard having just seven points (2-12 FG), three rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.
The Pacers, meanwhile, were led by Pascal Siakam, who had 28 points (12-19 FG), five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the loss. As for his co-star Tyrese Haliburton, he put up 14 points (5-11 FG), seven rebounds, 10 assists, and a block. Myles Turner was the Pacer who ended up disappointing the most in Game 3, as he had just six points (1-9 FG), three rebounds, and two assists.
With how superior the Pacers looked in the first two games of this series, it is somewhat of a surprise that the Bucks managed to get the win here. How did they do it? Well, here are some of the big takeaways from the game.
Doc Rivers’ Adjustment To Start Gary Trent Jr. Worked Out
Bucks head coach Doc Rivers has often been criticized over the years for not making adjustments in the playoffs. Rivers finally decided to make one big change in Game 3, and it worked out.
Rivers inserted Trent into the lineup for Taurean Prince, and he was rewarded for putting his faith in him. The guard had a solid start with eight points in the first quarter, but well and truly came to life after halftime.
Trent had 18 points in the third quarter, as many as the Pacers, as a team, managed in the period. He went 5-6 from beyond the arc in the quarter, and it was the kind of offensive explosion that the Bucks desperately needed.
Antetokounmpo’s supporting cast had not stepped in the first two games, and he finally got some much-needed help here. If the rest can follow suit, the Bucks might just turn things around.
The Pacers Went Cold On Offense In The Second Half
The Pacers’ shooting 50.3% from the field in the first two games of this series was a big reason they found themselves up 2-0. It looked like we were getting more of the same in Game 3, as they shot 46.0% from the field in the first half.
The threes weren’t falling for the Pacers, but they were still finding ways to pick apart the Bucks’ defense. They led 57-47 at halftime and looked in control, but everything fell apart in the third quarter.
The Pacers were outscored 39-18 in the third as the Bucks seized control. While Trent was drilling threes one after the other, the visitors just could not get going offensively. They went 6-19 from the field and 1-9 from beyond the arc in the period.
The Pacers seemed to gather themselves and find their footing on offense at the start of the fourth quarter, but then went cold again. They went scoreless for four minutes in the middle of the period, which all but ended the game as a contest.
Was this just a bad half or a sign of things to come? Time will tell.
Damian Lillard Struggled Offensively But Made An Impact On The Other End
Lillard made his long-awaited return in Game 2 after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in March. The nine-time All-Star struggled offensively on his return with 14 points on 4-13 shooting from the field, and it was more of the same in Game 3.
Lillard has struggled to find his rhythm offensively after spending about a month on the sidelines, and that is a huge concern for the Bucks. One positive, though, is how well he played on defense in this win.
For just the second time in Lillard’s career, he recorded multiple steals and blocks in a playoff game. While blocks and steals don’t necessarily indicate that someone played good defense, the 34-year-old did on this night.
If Lillard continues to struggle with his shot in this series, he needs to make up for that by playing defense the way he did in this game. The Bucks would be hoping the shots start falling soon, though.
Game 4 will be at the Fiserv Forum on Sunday at 9:30 PM ET.
