2 weeks Ago
Both the Pacers and the Thunder now take a comfortable 2-0 lead in their respective series. Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton played the perfect pair for the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. Again.
Now they’re two wins away from ousting the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. Again. Siakam had 24 points, 11 rebounds, and a crucial 3-pointer to start Indiana’s decisive final run, while Haliburton added 21 points and 12 assists to lead the Indiana Pacers past the Milwaukee Bucks 123-115 for a 2-0 series lead.
“He’s been a steady presence for us all year, so glad that he’s on our team," Haliburton said, referring to Siakam. “I think he could be the most underrated player in the NBA to be honest. I think what he does on a nightly basis is amazing.
So consistent, so steady." The Bucks are learning that the hard way. Indiana has won five of the last six playoff games between the teams, leading this one wire to wire.
And against a team that won three of this season’s four regular-season matchups, the Pacers still haven’t trailed since the early minutes of the first quarter in Game 1. They’ll meet for 18th time in the last two seasons on Friday, when Game 3 is played in Milwaukee. OKC Thunder Roll Over Grizzlies In Game 2 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 27 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the Memphis Grizzlies 118-99 on Tuesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Oklahoma City delivered a strong follow-up to its record-setting 131-80 win on Sunday in the series opener. Though Memphis was the team with something to prove, the Thunder came out with the energy. Oklahoma City opened with a 9-0 run and held Memphis scoreless for the first 3 1/2 minutes as the Grizzlies missed their first 10 shots.
The Thunder led 32-17 at the end of the first quarter and never trailed. “We never underestimate our opponent, no matter what," Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Obviously they’re a very good team.
They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. And we just wanted to make an emphasis to come out and win that first quarter, set the tone for the night." Jalen Williams added 24 points and Chet Holmgren had 20 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks for the top-seeded Thunder.
Oklahoma City’s offense produced, despite Gilgeous-Alexander making just 10 of 29 shots. The Thunder have won all six games against the Grizzlies this season by double digits. Jaren Jackson Jr.
scored 26 points and Ja Morant added 23 for Memphis, which will host Game 3 on Thursday..
