The NBA Playoff jitters that the Indiana Pacers dealt with in Game 1 of their series against the Milwaukee Bucks quickly disappeared. The performance they put together in Game 2 was more reminiscent of what we saw from them throughout the regular season.
After losing 109-94 in Game 1 and trailing by as many as 30 points, the Pacers bounced back in a major way in Game 2. They recorded a blowout of their own, winning 125-108 to even the series at one victory apiece.
The Pacers, who were a popular upset pick coming into the series because of the unknown status surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, have successfully stolen homecourt advantage away. They have to be confident heading into two games at home, especially with the level of success they’ve had facing off against the Bucks this season.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Tyrese Haliburton, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers Updates
In the regular season, Indiana went 4-1 against Milwaukee. None of those games came with Doc Rivers as head coach, but the Pacers had to still be overflowing with confidence heading into the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
It has been a little while since Pacers fans experienced playoff basketball. The last time was in 2019, as the 2020 NBA Playoffs were held in the Orlando Bubble.
As a result, star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is expecting a raucous crowd on Friday night. During his press conference after Game 2, Haliburton took a jab at the Bucks’ fans while praising backers of the Pacers.
“We’ve had regular season crowds better than what we’ve played in the last two games,” Haliburton said when comparing the fan bases.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Tyrese Haliburton, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers Updates
This Central Division rivalry is certainly getting spicy. During the regular season, a scene was created when the ball from Antetokounmpo’s career-high scoring night disappeared, which was just the latest chapter in the bad blood brewing between the franchises.
Pacers fans will love to hear their star speaking highly of them and will come out in support for Games 3 and 4 to prove him right. But, Indiana will have to head back to Milwaukee for at least one game and you can be sure their crowd will be ready to give it to Haliburton and the Pacers for the comments he made.
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