![](\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2025\/04\/21174231\/250421-Pacers-Bucks-scaled.jpg?width=1200&height=630&fit=cover\")
NBA
NBA Postseason
INDIANAPOLIS \u2014 The Indiana Pacers aren\u2019t letting Saturday\u2019s blowout win in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks distract them from the duty at hand.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle\u2019s message to the staff at Monday\u2019s follow?
\u201cAnticipate exhausting,\u201d Carlisle stated. \u201cOnerous issues are exhausting. The primary recreation is difficult. We obtained to count on exhausting. We\u2019ve obtained to embrace exhausting. If you win Sport 1 within the sequence, significantly as the house staff, Sport 2 is simply at all times exponentially harder. There\u2019s a renewed degree of power that they convey.
Commercial
\u201cThere\u2019s every kind of potentialities with lineup issues, all that form of stuff. So we obtained to be prepared for something. Not be stunned by something.\u201d
Within the first recreation of final 12 months\u2019s matchup, a record-setting 35-point first half from Damian Lillard helped the Bucks to a 109-94 win in Milwaukee as an injured two-time MVP <\/b>Giannis Antetokounmpo watched from the bench. In Sport 2, although, Indiana rebounded regardless of Lillard scoring 26 by halftime and ending with 34. The Pacers, behind a 37-point efficiency from Pascal Siakam, evened the sequence at 1-1 with a 125-108 win. Siakam was 16 of 23 from the ground and completed with 11 rebounds and 6 assists.
With the reminiscence of final season and never eager to be on the shedding finish of a Sport 2 bounce again, Indiana has put Sport 1 within the rearview. Carlisle\u2019s message has been heard loud and clear by his gamers.
\u201cSport 1 final 12 months we obtained smacked fairly unhealthy, after which we responded effectively in Sport 2,\u201d Tyrese Haliburton stated after follow on Monday. \u201cWe count on them to throw a giant punch in Sport 2. We\u2019ve obtained to be ready for it, understanding successful Sport 1 is doing nothing however doing all your job. They at all times say, playoffs don\u2019t begin until you win a highway recreation. So we perceive that they\u2019ll throw a giant punch in Sport 2, and we obtained to be able to go.\u201d
Within the first half of Sport 1 on Saturday, Haliburton was held to 6 factors with seven assists and 4 rebounds. However he completed with a double-double, including three extra factors and 5 extra assists within the second half.
As they put together for Tuesday evening\u2019s recreation, the Pacers proceed to plan for Antetokounmpo\u2019s physicality.
\u201cYou simply take it for what it’s,\u201d middle Myles Turner stated. \u201cTypically you gotta lose a battle to win the warfare. He\u2019s gonna rating some extent. It\u2019s a matter of simply taking these hits, slowing him down. He simply goes downhill with reckless abandonment at occasions. And he is aware of the way to use his physique very well. So it\u2019s a matter of counteracting. It\u2019s only a massive chess match with him on the finish of the day.\u201d
Commercial
Whereas Indiana wasn\u2019t in a position to include Antetokounmpo, who scored 36 factors, the remainder of the Bucks\u2019 offense stalled in Saturday\u2019s recreation as 3-pointers have been particularly exhausting to come back by. Milwaukee shot a dismal 24.3 p.c (9-for-37) past the arc.
\u201cI feel the chances of them capturing that poorly from 3 most likely aren\u2019t that prime because the sequence goes on. However what I\u2019ve discovered within the final two years taking part in within the playoffs is it\u2019s in regards to the wear-down impact,\u201d Haliburton stated. \u201cI feel we\u2019ve carried out an amazing job of exhibiting our stress up on the ground, sending two to Giannis, simply doing many various issues. That wear-down impact over the course of seven video games is a very powerful factor. So simply attempting to maintain flying round making additional efforts.
\u201cI really feel just like the basketball gods reward you the tougher you play.\u201d
Along with making ready for that \u201cmassive punch,\u201d the Pacers are additionally making ready for Lillard\u2019s eventual return. Although some uncertainty stays across the timing, Lillard\u2019s presence would impression Milwaukee\u2019s spacing and supply them the offense they have been lacking in Sport 1 of the sequence. Ought to Lillard return, Indiana guard Andrew Nembhard says he\u2019s as much as the problem.
\u201cI at all times embrace these matches. I really like competing in opposition to these good gamers,\u201d Nembhard stated. \u201cIt\u2019s not going to be as straightforward because it appeared to be final recreation. They\u2019re a staff that\u2019s gotten to the finals, they\u2019ve obtained some gamers that performed within the championship staff, in order that they know what to deliver. You\u2019ve simply obtained to be able to deliver these counterpunches.\u201d
In Sport 1, the Pacers\u2019 2022 second-round choose rose to the event for the second straight 12 months within the postseason. One in all six gamers in double figures, Nembhard scored 17 factors with 4 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals.
With a lot consideration from the Bucks protection being on Haliburton and Siakam, Nembhard seems for alternatives to be aggressive and get the ball in his fingers.
Commercial
\u201cEach time they swing it to me, I wish to be a menace to attain the ball and in the event that they cease that I could make these passes, however I at all times wish to be aggressive on the courtroom. So it opens up for different guys,\u201d Nembhard stated.
The Pacers are a staff with out a person star however one which requires a powerful effort from everybody. They perceive their depth is essential to defeating the Bucks for the second postseason in a row.
\u201cI feel understanding that within the playoffs, it ain\u2019t about particular person performances, it\u2019s nearly successful,\u201d Haliburton stated. \u201cSo we all know each recreation goes to name on any person totally different. Some video games are going to name on me to have a giant recreation. Pascal, a giant recreation. Miles, Aaron, Andrew, Ben, Jerry, TJ, all the fellows in rotation.
\u201cEveryone\u2019s obtained to be ready for that. And I feel it comes right down to our preparation. Everyone\u2019s understanding that we\u2019re all in right here early, getting our work in, getting our lifts in. (There are) guys in right here additional after follow. That\u2019s all necessary as a result of all people\u2019s obtained to be prepared when their title\u2019s referred to as.\u201d
(Photograph: Trevor Ruszkowski \/ Imagn Photos)<\/em>
Shakeia Taylor<\/a><\/strong> is a workers author for The Athletic overlaying the NBA. Earlier than becoming a member of The Athletic, she labored as a sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune.<\/span> Comply with Shakeia on Twitter @curlyfro<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n