By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After squandering several opportunities to close out the Milwaukee Bucks, the Indiana Pacers picked up a win, 115-114, with a four-point play by Tyrese Haliburton.
“I think there was a miscommunication on our coverage. He was able to get to the corner and knock down an incredible shot,” mentioned Giannis Antetokounmpo during a media session following Tuesday’s game in Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
“Either you take a step back and let him shoot it, or you try to make it as tough as possible for him. Now that I think about it, maybe I should have taken a step back because if he had made it, we still go to overtime,” he added on his decision to guard to the point of committing a foul on Haliburton.
“Defensively, there’s nothing more you can do. It’s just try to get in front of him, he makes an incredible shot,” he concluded, “Just gotta give credit.”
The international superstar with Greece looked for a quick response with 3.4 seconds available. However, a three-pointer fell short at the buzzer.
He ended up with 19 points and 9/14 field goals. Pulling down 17 rebounds shaped his 45th double-double in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season. Initially listed as probable to play due to a left calf strain, he logged 34 minutes, adding seven assists and one block.
Tied at 36-28, the current playoff picture sends the Bucks and Pacers into a first-round matchup as the fourth and fifth seeds of the Eastern Conference.