Milwaukee (AP) – The goalkeeper of the Indiana Pacers Tyrese Haliburton presents a short description of the rising rivalry between his group and the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It is no secret,” stated Haliburton. “They do not like us. We do not like them.
The 2 enemies of the Jap Convention met for the final time within the common season on Saturday night, the Bucks constructing a 21 -point lead, fourth quarter and held on the part for a 126-119 Victory.
However it appears an increasing number of probably that the groups will compete in the course of the opening of the playoffs for a second consecutive season.
The victory of Milwaukee on Saturday gave the Bucks (38-28) an advance of a match on Indiana for fourth place within the East and the corresponding benefit at dwelling within the first spherical of the playoffs. The 2 groups should all the time monitor the Detroit pistons, that are sixth within the east and solely two video games behind Milwaukee and a again of the Indiana.
The prince Taurus of Milwaukee Bucks reacts after his 3 -point basket towards the Indiana Pacers in the course of the second half of a basketball match of the NBA on Saturday March 15, 2025 in Milwaukee. (AP picture / Jeffrey Phelps)
Photograph: Related Press / Jeffrey Phelps
THE Pacers eradicated {dollars} 4-2 within the opening tour final season earlier than reaching the Oriental finals. Bucks coach Doc Rivers stated that the post-season match had helped construct this improvement rivalry.
“There may be actually one thing there, and that is good,” stated Rivers earlier than Saturday’s match. “I believe the rivalries are nice, personally. However you’ll be able to’t simply invent them. They have to arrive. I believe it happens. And that is good.
The important thing to rivalry is the animated clashes between the groups previously two seasons.
Haliburton imitated the celebration of “Girl Time” of the Damian Lillard goalkeeper, pointing his wrist throughout Indiana’s victory On Milwaukee within the semi-finals of the NBA Cup final season, which was then often called the match in season.
The Bucks star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, scored a 64 -point franchise file in a victory over the Pacers later this season, then ran to the Indiana locker rooms thereafter in a dispute on the sport ball.
The pacers launched an inconceivable 115-114 Triumph above the bucks Tuesday in Indiana when Haliburton made a 4 -point recreation With 3.4 seconds to play, get worsened whereas pouring a pointer with 3 factors unbalanced, then making the frank launch that adopted.
Milwaukee obtained a revenge measurement on Saturday, however solely after Indiana nearly had a exceptional return. Indiana dragged by 21 with 11 minutes to do, however obtained the three -second deficit with remaining 12.7 seconds earlier than the {dollars} had been hung.
“A group just like the Indiana Pacers, they may proceed to play arduous, they may proceed to attempt to create 3 open and attempt to go down and attempt to proceed taking part in rapidly,” stated Antetokounmpo, who collected 34 factors, 10 rebounds and 7 assists on Saturday earlier than elevating. “It’s a must to be able to play a 48 -minute basketball recreation.”
The speedy strategy of Indiana represents an fascinating distinction to Milwaukee, which has one of many older lists of the league and tends to function at a slower price.
The Pacers have a youthful group led by Haliburton, who grew up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and now obtains hoots every time he performs in his authentic state.
He might need to get used to listening to them. The victory of the Bucks on Saturday gave them a bonus of 3-1 of their season collection with the Pacers, giving Milwaukee the break of equality head-to-head if the 2 groups meet with the identical file.
This implies that there’s a risk that Haliburton may play Milwaukee as much as 4 instances within the first spherical of the playoffs.
“It appears proper now that we may very well be on an intensive course to see us once more,” stated Haliburton. “That is the gorgeous a part of basketball. I believe everybody as rivals loves these matches, loves these video games. These are two groups from the small market midwest, and I believe it makes it much more enjoyable. »»
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