INDIANA Pacers took advantage of Milwaukee Bucks’ undermanned roster to score a 126-113 win in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference first round series on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines) at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Myles Turner spearheaded the offense with 29 points, including seven three-point conversions, while Tyrese Haliburton added 24 points as the Pacers took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Andrew Nembhard had 15 points and nine assists, Paskal Siakam tallied 13 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin contributed 13 markers apiece for the Pacers.
Holding to a slim 67-64 lead at the half, the Pacers relied on outside shootings by Haliburton and Nembhard as they established a 98-85 advantage heading into the fourth.
The Bucks still tried to keep the match close in the final frame, but Turner unloaded consecutive three-pointers as the Pacers pulled away at 124-105 with over a minute left.
Brook Lopez finished with 27 points, Khris Middleton added a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Malik Beasley ended with 20 for the Bucks, which were without injured stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Minnesota Timberwolves advanced to the second round of Western Conference playoffs after a 122-116 victory over Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of their first-round series.
Anthony Edwards stepped up in second half to finish with 40 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for the Timberwolves, which swept the Suns in their best-of-seven series, 4-0.
Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Jalen McDaniels and Mike Conley contributed 18 and 10, respectively, for the Timberwolves, which will face the winner of Denver Nuggets-Los Angeles Lakers series in the next round.
Meanwhile, New York Knicks took a commanding 3-1 lead after a 97-92 Game 4 win over Philadelphia 76ers, while Los Angeles Clippers knotted their series at 2-2 after a 116-111 beating of Dallas Mavericks in Game 4./PN
BOX SCORE:
INDIANA 126 — Turner 29, Haliburton 24, Nembhard 15, Toppin 13, Siakam 13, Nesmith 13, McConnell 8, Sheppard 8, McDermott 3, Jackson 0, Walker 0.
MILWAUKEE 113 — Lopez 27, Middleton 25, Beasley 20, Beverley 9, Green 8, Jackson 6, Gallinari 6, Portis 4, Connaughton 4, Crowder 2, Beauchamp 2, T. Antetokounmpo 0.
Quarterscores: 33-33, 67-64, 98-85, 126-113.
