Bucks Beat Pacers in Crucial Playoff Tie-Breaker

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Milwaukee Bucks secured a critical 126-119 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at Fiserv Forum, solidifying their playoff positioning amidst a tight Eastern Conference race.

The Bucks, now 37-28 on the season, led for most of the game. Despite a late push from the Pacers, highlighted by a strong performance from their All-Star Pascal Siakam, Milwaukee maintained control. Giannis Antetokounmpo starred for the Bucks, scoring 34 points before fouling out with three minutes left.

“We showed our maturity tonight,” said Bucks guard Damian Lillard. “Moving past those tough losses we’ve had helps us grow as a team.”

Milwaukee began the game with an explosive start, shooting 70% from the field and leading by eight points after the first quarter. Antetokounmpo led the charge with 18 first-half points, while Siakam countered with 19 for the Pacers.

The Pacers mounted several efforts to rally back, with critical contributions from Siakam, who exploited the Bucks’ defense for multiple second-chance points in the paint.

“Playing from in front is crucial,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “Metrics across sports show that starting strong gives you a better chance to win.”

In the final moments, Taurean Prince saved the Bucks with a clutch shot and free throws, contributing to the victory despite the absence of Lillard for part of the fourth quarter due to a calf issue.

“We’re building something here, and these wins matter,” said Bucks head coach Doc Rivers. “Every game is important now, especially this close to playoff time.”

The Bucks currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, with a significant competition for home-court advantage in the playoffs, particularly against the fifth-seeded Pacers. This win also provides Milwaukee a tiebreaker edge over Indiana should the teams finish with the same record.

Milwaukee’s success comes after a three-game losing streak, and the team looks to build on this momentum in their next match against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.

The game tips off at 8 p.m. on Saturday and will be broadcast on national networks. As the playoff race intensifies, each opposing team looks to either cement their position or pull off an upset against the league’s top contenders.