Bucks Score Fifth Straight Win And The Eighth Seed

The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the visiting Indiana Pacers 99-85 at BMO Harris
Bradley Center on Friday evening. The Pacers led by five, 50-45, at halftime but
the Bucks came out charging in the third quarter, where they out-scored the
Pacers 29-11. The Bucks carried the momentum into the fourth, where they
continued to dominate, winning the quarter 25-17, to amass the 14-point winning
margin and their fifth-straight win. This was a huge win for the Bucks (31-33),
as it propels them into the eighth seed in the East, in part thanks the Bull’s
loss on Friday night. The Pacers (33-32) sit sixth in the East, and are a team
that the Bucks are chasing, making it even sweeter for Milwaukee. Giannis
Antetokounmpo led the way for the Bucks, with 21 points to go along with eight
rebounds, five assists, five steals and one block, in 39 minutes. Khris
Middleton added 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting, in 37 minutes. Antetokounmpo (6)
and Middleton (7) both struggled with turnovers, contributing a combined 13 to
the team’s 22. The Bucks shot 51.6 percent in the contest, including 41.2
percent from deep. The Bucks will face the second night of a back-to-back, as
they go on to host the Timberwolves on Saturday. Paul George led the way for the
Pacers, with 18 points on 5-of-14 shooting, 11 rebounds, six assists and three
steals, as he led the team in all four categories, in 42 minutes. Jeff Teague
finished with 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals, in 35
minutes, while Monta Ellis chipped in 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, off the
bench. This marks the third loss in five games for the Pacers, who will look to
bounce back, as they play host to the Heat on Sunday.