The Indiana Pacers' frontcourt is the reason they tied up the series
The Indiana Pacers became the first playoff team to win on the road on Tuesday after blowing out the Bucks thanks to their frontcourt.
By Ryan Stano
The Indiana Pacers knew they had to win Game 2 in Milwaukee. Not only was it the second straight game that the Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo, but they needed to get homecourt advantage back. They knew that they needed a split.
That's exactly what they got thanks to excellent play from the starting frontcourt. Both Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam set new postseason highs for points. Siakam had a game-high 37 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Turner tied his postseason career-high with 22 points while going 3-6 from three.
The frontcourt duo was the reason why the Pacers blew the Bucks out 125-108. Siakam shot 16-23 and if he keeps doing that, the Bucks are going to struggle. He simply can't be guarded in the half-court or in transition. While Damian Lillard was great again in the first half, Siakam was great in both halves.
The Indiana Pacers got what they needed from Tyrese Haliburton and the bench stepped up as well
Tyrese Haliburton was more aggressive in the first quarter and that's all they needed. He finished just 4-10 for 12 points, but he was 3-7 from three. He also had 12 assists, which was the main thing he brought to the team. When he gets going in transition, this team is hard to stop offensively.
Andrew Nembhard bounced back after a really tough Game 1 and first quarter of Game 2. After Dame went off early again, Nembhard settled in and locked him up. He also got his offensive game going and finished with 20 points on 8-11 shooting.
Nembhard wasn't the only guard who played well. Ben Sheppard bounced back from a bad Game 1 too. He had 8 points on 3-4 shooting. What really stood out about him though was his defense. Players kept going after him and he was locking them down and making them miss.
Rick Carlisle shortened his rotation too. Only 8 players played until garbage time. That's the way it needs to be, especially if Turner and Siakam are going to be as effective as they were. Siakam is clearly the team's best player, and the more he plays, the better for the Indiana Pacers.
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This is exactly the kind of win this young team needed. They will be flying high with confidence once Game 3 rolls around on Friday.