INDIANA Pacers went on an 8-0 spurt in the final 40 seconds of the overtime period to oust Milwaukee Bucks, 119-118, in Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference first round series on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Down 111-118 following a split free throw by Bucks’ AJ Green, the Pacers managed to cut the deficit to 117-118 on a three-pointer from Andrew Nembhard and a three-point play from Tyrese Haliburton with 17 seconds left.
After a costly turnover by Bucks’ Gary Trent Jr., Haliburton took the lead for the Pacers as he connected a layup with second left before Trent missed on a half-court heave.
Haliburton led the way with 26 points and nine assists, while Myles Turner chipped in 21 markers and nine boards as the Pacers wrapped up the best-of-seven series at 4-1.
Aaron Nesmith posted a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, TJ McConnell tallied 18 markers, while Nembhard and Pascal Siakam had 15 and 10 points, respectively, for Indiana, which will face Cleveland Cavaliers in the East Semis.
Trent finished with 33 points, including four three-pointers in the overtime period, while Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double of 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 13 assists for the Bucks.
Meanwhile, Boston Celtics rode on a massive second half assault to eliminate Orlando Magic in Game 5, 120-89, and wrap up their best-of-seven first round series at 4-1.
Jayson Tatum had a near triple-double of 35 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, Jaylen Brown added 23 markers, while Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser contributed 10 markers apiece for Boston.
Franz Wagner led the Magic with 25 points, Paolo Banchero added 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, while Wendell Carter Jr.tallied a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Detroit Pistons saved their season with a gritty 106-103 Game 5 win over New York Knicks to trim their series deficit to 2-3. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 24 points.
Denver Nuggets, on the other hand, surged to a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference first round series after a 131-115 Game 5 win over Los Angeles Clippers. Jamal Murray lef the way for the Nuggets with 43 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
INDIANA 119 — Haliburton 26, Turner 21, Nesmith 19, McConnell 18, Nembhard 15, Siakam 10, Mathurin 5, Toppin 5, Walker 0, Sheppard 0, Bryant 0.
MILWAUKEE 118 — Trent 33, Antetokounmpo 30, Green 19, Portis 14, Porter 11, Kuzma 5, Sims 4, Lopez 2, Prince 0.
Quarterscores: 13-30, 41-47, 75-75, 103-103, 119-118.
