The Indiana Pacers were in a tough situation coming into Game 2 of their seven-game series against the Milwaukee Bucks. While the team performed well in the regular season, the lack of playoff experience was evident as they couldn’t contain their opponents in Game 1.
Thankfully, Pascal Siakam stepped up to the plate for the Pacers during Game 2. Thanks to his monstrous efforts, they managed to even the series to one game a piece. This outstanding showing will allow the Pacers to build on their momentum and head to Game 3 with the intent of wrestling the series away from the Bucks.
Pascal Siakam’s determination and playoff experience helped the Indiana Pacers win over the Milwaukee Bucks
The Pacers had a back-and-forth game in the first half where neither team was able to establish a solid lead over the other. While the Pacers were able to get on a scoring run in the third quarter, the Bucks were able to trim down their lead and turn the game into a dicey situation.
Fortunately for the Indiana Pacers, Siakam was able to step up to the plate. The one-time NBA champion put the team on his back with a dominant showing that secured the win.
The Cameroonian forward finished the game with 37 points (a game high), 11 rebounds, and six assists on 69.6% shooting and 75% from deep.
Asked about his Game 2 outburst, Siakam explained that the team must play hungrily against a team that didn’t have their best player on the floor.
Per an NBC Sports article written by the Associated Press:
“We’ve got to be the hungry team,” Siakam said. “We’ve got to be the team that’s coming in and wanting to show something. That’s the attitude that we’ve got to have against those guys, because they’ve done it before.”
The team greatly appreciated the leadership Siakam showed on the floor as well:
“His experience in the playoffs is so valuable,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s not a guy that’s going to get rattled by anything. Never has once since January, since we got him. He’s a guy that people confide in and look up to.”
Tyrese Haliburton, who had a memorable moment post-game interview, had an off night as he only finished with 12 points, but he contributed elsewhere with his four boards, 12 assists, one steal, and one block. Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard took over the scoring load for Haliburton, scoring 22 and 20 points respectively.
The series heads to Indiana as the Milwaukee Bucks try to regain momentum by winning Games 3 and 4 against a rabid Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd. Siakam, Haliburton, and the rest of the Pacers will make sure that such a thing won’t happen on their stomping grounds.
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