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Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard overcame a decrease leg damage within the first quarter of Sport 3 Friday evening on the Indiana Pacers to attain 28 factors with eight assists, however his effort wasn’t sufficient.
The Pacers pulled out a 121-118 additional time win over the Bucks to take a 2-1 lead of their Jap Convention first-round playoff collection.
Lillard, who scored zero factors within the second half of Sport 1 and eight within the second half of Sport 2, got here up with 19 factors within the second half on Friday.
These factors helped the Bucks overcome a Pacers’ lead that grew to as a lot as 17 within the third quarter. Milwaukee tied the sport within the closing seconds of regulation on a three-pointer from Khris Middleton to ship the sport into additional time.
Within the additional interval, with the Bucks down 118-115 and solely seconds remaining, Lillard discovered Middleton for a 3 to tie the sport at 118-118.
Nonetheless, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton answered with a floater within the lane. He was fouled on the play and made the free throw to present the Pacers a 118-115 lead with 1.6 seconds on the clock.
Middleton’s closing shot for the Bucks from the left sideline hit the rim.
Lillard went 6 of 20 from the sector and made simply 4 of 12 three-point makes an attempt.
Middleton led the way in which by capturing 16-of-29 from the sector for 42 factors. He additionally added 10 rebounds and 5 assists.
Lillard left the sport briefly within the first quarter after falling to the ground following a drive to the basket after which grabbing his left leg. He finally hopped off the ground earlier than heading towards the locker room.
Lillard quickly returned to play 11 minutes and 38 seconds within the second quarter. He performed 44 minutes on the evening.
“We’ve bought to ensure Dame is okay,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers advised reporters after the sport.
“When requested about Lillard’s damage, Rivers responded: “I feel it’s Achilles once more. So, we’ll see.”
Seconds later when requested about leaning on Middleton offensively, Rivers added: “Actually, Dame was actually struggling. And within the additional time, he actually stated, ‘I’ll be the decoy. I simply can’t go so far as explosion.’ So, I believed Dame simply being on the market was large for us.”
Myles Turner led the Pacers with 29 factors and 9 rebounds. Haliburton scored 18 factors with 16 assists.
Sport 4 will happen at 4 p.m., Sunday in Indiana.
“I feel it’s his Achilles once more,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers advised reporters
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
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