Pacers aim sweep back-to-back Bucks

Indiana defeats Milwaukee for the third time this season, scoring a 122-113 victory. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 26 points.

The Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers are set to face off for the second time in two games on Wednesday, with the Bucks visiting the Pacers in Indianapolis. The Pacers secured their third victory over the Bucks this season, taking a 2-1 lead in the regular-season series with a 122-113 win in Milwaukee on Monday. Tyrese Haliburton nearly achieved a triple-double, contributing 26 points, 11 assists, and nine rebounds, while Bennedict Mathurin scored 25 points and achieved a career-best 13 rebounds coming off the bench.

Mathurin led a group of four Pacers reserves who scored in double figures, with Isaiah Jackson adding 18 points and nine rebounds, T.J. McConnell finishing with 16 points and nine assists, and Obi Toppin scoring 11 points. Indiana's 122 points fell short of their NBA-leading offensive output of 126.4 points per game, but they held Milwaukee to 113 points, the Bucks' fewest since November 30.

The Bucks, who average 124.6 points per game, rank second in the NBA behind Indiana. They scored 140 points in one win over the Pacers this season but have scored below their average in all three losses, averaging 118.7 points in those contests. This is well below Indiana's season-long defensive allowance of 124.4 points per game, which is the second-most in the league.

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a triple-double in Monday's loss with 30 points, 18 rebounds, and 11 assists, leading all five Milwaukee starters in double-figure scoring. Indiana limited Damian Lillard to 13 points on 3-of-16 shooting, marking the third time in as many games the seven-time All-NBA honoree has faced the Pacers and scored less than his season average of 25.5 points per game.

Antetokounmpo has been averaging 46.3 points in four matchups against Indiana, scoring 54 points in a previous game and a career-high 64 points in another. Despite the loss, he stated that these games make the team better. Losses to the Pacers with the in-season tournament semifinal and Monday's contest book-ended a run in which Milwaukee won nine of 10 games. These two teams are set for an intense rematch in Indianapolis, and both will be looking to claim victory.

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