Friday night’s 121-118 Pacers win over the Bucks was an ugly 48 minutes of basketball.

What began as a sprint quickly slowed to a slugfest with 107 missed shots and 46 fouls.

Kelly Iko on how Tyrese Haliburton's heroics lifted Indiana ⤵️
theathletic.com/5451374/2024/0…

Before Tyrese Haliburton carried the weight of a team, arena and city on his back in overtime, he had a special request to make.

How Natasha Bedingfield and Sunshine Anderson helped Haliburton and the Pacers take control of the series.

For The Athletic

theathletic.com/5451374/2024/0…

Before Tyrese Haliburton carried the weight of a team, arena and city on his back in overtime, he had a special request to make.

How Natasha Bedingfield and Sunshine Anderson helped Haliburton and the Pacers take control of the series.

For The Athletic

theathletic.com/5451374/2024/0…

Tyrese Haliburton on dissecting Milwaukee’s defensive setup in real time, leading to his game-winning running floater in OT.

Rick Carlisle: “Playoffs are insanity. I’ve seen this for four decades now.”

Pacers take Game 3 in incredible fashion, a 120-117 in overtime. Might be in Indiana for a while.

Khris Middleton. My goodness. 42 points.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON????

DOUBLE WOW. MIDDLETON TRIPLE TIES THE BALL GAME AT 111 WITH 1.4 SECONDS LEFT.

WOW. Huge second effort by Siakam puts Indiana up 109-106 with 19.1 seconds remaining. Bucks challenging the Lillard blocking foul.

'Bobby sucks!' chant erupting at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as Portis takes free throws. The Bucks and Pacers genuinely don't like each other. This is hilarious.

Dame Lillard headed back to the locker room.

Indiana's defense — with Myles Turner anchoring — has been tremendous in the first 8 minutes, holding Milwaukee to just 4-for-16 shooting. Pacers 22, Bucks 12.

The energy inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse is electric. My goodness. These Pacers fans are pumped for a pivotal Game 3.

The Pacers were one of the most efficient transition teams during the regular season, but it's not just about their pace and how often they run.

On 'power plays' and how the numbers advantages within a slowed down playoff series is paying dividends.

theathletic.com/5443417/2024/0…

Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters that Khris Middleton (right ankle sprain) did not practice today.

He sprained his ankle in the 1st quarter and then played 36 minutes.

Asked if there was concern about him being able to play in Game 3, Rivers said, 'Yeah, there's a little.'

The Pacers were one of the most efficient transition teams during the regular season, but it's not just about their pace and how often they run.

On 'power plays' and how the numbers advantages within a slowed down playoff series is paying dividends.

theathletic.com/5443417/2024/0…

The Milwaukee Bucks have dictated the tempo of this series thus far, but Indiana's strength isn't just their transition frequency, it's what happens when they run.

On 'power plays', learning from hockey and the efficiency game the Pacers hope to win.

theathletic.com/5443417/2024/0…

The Milwaukee Bucks have dictated the tempo of this series thus far, but Indiana's strength isn't just their transition frequency, it's what happens when they run.

On 'power plays', learning from hockey and the efficiency game the Pacers hope to win.

theathletic.com/5443417/2024/0…

Pascal Siakam has played a huge role in the Pacers' first two playoff games.

It wasn't easy for Indiana to integrate him into the offense after a midseason trade, but the work they did early is paying off.

Kelly Iko on Siakam's emergence as a leader ⤵️
theathletic.com/5440941/2024/0…