Keys to the Pacers closing out the Bucks on the road

With Sunday's win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Pacers are now just one win away from both winning the series and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Tuesday's game in Milwaukee could mean that the Bucks' season ends and the Pacers' continues.

In order to do that, Head Coach Rick Carlisle must not only be sharp himself but to keep his Pacers sharp, too. Let's take a look at the four keys for the Pacers to win Game 5 of the first round.

The Big Men Must Play Huge

In his Pacers' playoff debut, Pascal Siakam put up 36 points and 13 rebounds in the opening contest at Milwaukee. Myles Turner tallied 17 points and eight rebounds. Their point totals accounted for 56% of the 94 points the Pacers struggled to score.

But in Game 2, Siakam followed up his strong debut with 37 more points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Turner impressed as well with 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. With the series tied (1-1), Indiana canceled out Milwaukee's home-court advantage.

As the series shifted to Indiana, Turner would be the bigger nuisance to Milwaukee's defense. He had 29 points and nine rebounds in both Games 3 and 4. While Siakam had nine rebounds, too, in both games, he had 17 and 13 points, respectively.

Both of these Pacers' starters are outperforming their regular season numbers in the first-round series. Siakam is averaging more than 8.5 points and more than three rebounds a game in the playoffs. Thus far, Turner is scoring five points and a rebound more per contest in the postseason.

It is in the Pacers' best interest to wrap up this series as soon as possible, as the Bucks have been without Giannis Antetokounmpo thus far. In order for Indiana to win Game 5, Siakam and Turner must deliver high marks in terms of points and boards.