Khris Middleton tried his damned hardest to help the Milwaukee Bucks retake the series lead as they visited Gainbridge Fieldhouse to take on the Indiana Pacers for Game 3 of their first round series.
Middleton was on fire, shooting 16 of 29 points on the way to 42 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. He was the late-game hero for the Bucks, and was able to force overtime. He also tied the game again with 6.7 seconds left in overtime, giving the Bucks hope for another overtime period.
Unfortunately, the Pacers’ star forward, Tyrese Haliburton, was ready for the big moment and finished an and-one play with 1.6 seconds left in the game. Haliburton ended the game with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 16 assists and one block after that play, much to the delight of Pacers’ fans – who counted new Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark among them.
Myles Turner stepped in to help Haliburton as well with 29 points and nine rebounds, and six total Pacers scored in double figures during the victory.
Damian Lillard will be fuming after his Game 3 performacne as he let the Bucks down. Although he had 28 points, eight assists and three steals, he also shot 6 of 20 overall and 4 of 12 from three. A perfect 12 of 12 from the free throw line helped bring his scoring total up, but he needs to hit shots if the Bucks are to survive without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Bucks now must win the next game to avoid giving the Pacers a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. If there was ever a good opportunity for Dame Time to get activated, it will be Game 4.
