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For The Hoops crew discuss whether the Thunder would prefer to face the Clippers or Nuggets in the second round of the NBA playoffs
Tyrese Haliburton ended the Indiana Pacers’ first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks with a go-ahead layup to cap an eight-point run in overtime to seal Game 5.
Tuesday’s matchup between the Pacers and the Bucks went to overtime after both teams scored 103 in regulation in Indianapolis. The Bucks were on the verge of forcing Game 6 after going up 118-111 with 40.0 seconds remaining in overtime. The Pacers then went on an 8-0 run to close the game and win the series, 119-118.
Indiana’s Andrew Nembhardknocked down a three to come within 118-114 of the Bucks with 34.1 seconds remaining. A bad pass from Milwaukee’s Gary Trent Jr. led to a Haliburton layup to cut the Pacers’ deficit to two points with 17.0 seconds left. Haliburton was fouled on the play and knocked down a free throw to bring the Pacers within one point. Trent committed another turnover with 10.1 seconds remaining after losing the ball out of bounds. Haliburton gave the Pacers the go-ahead with a layup to give the Pacers a 119-118 advantage with 1.1 seconds remaining. It was enough to win the game and the series 4-1.
Haliburton finished with 26 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Myles Turner added 21 points and nine rebounds.
Trent had a team-high 33 points (8-of-17 3PT) for the Bucks in the losing effort. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with a triple-double, with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists.
The Pacers will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. The Cavaliers swept the Miami Heat to advance.
Antetokounmpo involved in multiple postgame scuffles
Emotions were running high after the game. Antetokounmpo was on the court following the loss giving hugs to several Pacers players, but things escalated and turned physical when he gave Bennedict Mathurin a hug. Antetokounmpo had his hand on the back of Mathurin’s head as he hugged him, which Mathurin didn’t appear to like. Mathurin pushed Antetokounmpo off him and the two had to be separated by a number of players and security.
Antetokounmpo also had an on-court interaction with Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton. The two were closely huddled as they exchanged words. The interaction appeared to be contentious, but Antetokounmpo flashed a thumbs up as he walked off.
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