In a performance that epitomized their unselfish, pass-first brand of basketball, the Indiana Pacers punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 120-98 drubbing of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6.
Displaying the dizzying ball movement and balanced scoring attack that defined their regular season, the Pacers prevented a winner-take-all Game 7 by demolishing the Bucks at home. Six different Pacers scored in double figures as they dished out a eye-popping 33 assists on the night.
“The thing that I love about this crew is they’re a true team – it’s not just an empty mantra,” said head coach Rick Carlisle. “We’ve got definite individual talents, but these guys legitimately need each other out there. That unselfish, all-for-one spirit is something this basketball-rabid state can absolutely rally around.”
Bench Mob Buries Milwaukee
While the starters all made key contributions, it was the Pacers’ second unit that ultimately buried Milwaukee and stamped their ticket to the semis for the first time since 2014.
Indiana’s reserves overwhelmed their counterparts, outscoring the Bucks’ bench 50-10 in an absolute mauling. The two-headed bench monster of T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin led the charge with 20 points apiece.
Toppin, the uber-athletic leaper in his first season in Indy, sent shivers down the spines of the home faithful. The crowd serenaded the high-flyer with thunderous “O-BI TOP-PIN!” chants as he exploded for a 10-point третя quarter outburst. Toppin punctuated the barrage with a series of alley-oop slams and corner triples.
Not to be outdone, McConnell turned in a quintessential performance orchestrating the offense and providing his trademark hustle and grit. In addition to his 20 points, the wily vet dished out 9 dimes while making life a nuisance for Milwaukee’s guards with 4 steals. McConnell delighted the fans with his array of acrobatic finishes at the rim and his patented wrong-footed fallaway jumpers.
“Fellas just had that singy extra gear tonight, that special competitive mentality I saw from the bench bunch all season long,” McConnell said. “I’m hyped for everybody who climbed off that pine and splashed some big-boy water tonight.”
Balanced Starters Set the Tone
While McConnell and Toppin provided the iconic moments and the bulk of the scoring punch, Indiana’s starting five deserves ample credit for setting the early tone and controlling the game throughout.
All five Pacer starters reached double figures, led by budding star Tyrese Haliburton’s 17 points and 9 assists. Two-way force Myles Turner anchored the middle with 15 points, 13 boards and stout rim protection before fouling out late. Fellow double-digit scorers Buddy Hield (13), Andrew Nembhard (12) and Aaron Nesmith (11) all made key contributions as well.
Perhaps most impressively, Indiana’s twin-tower duo of Turner and Toppin thoroughly outplayed Bucks rival Bobby Portis. The Pacer pivots outscored the Milwaukee big 27-10 in an absolute mismatch down low.
“I don’t think we allow a whole lot of selfish static or ego tripping in our locker room,” said Turner. “We’re always communicating, verbalizing who’s rolling and who needs a spark. That total team-first vibe is honestly kinda rare around this league nowadays.”
Big Apple Awaits
With the series win, their first since a 2014 run to the Eastern Conference Finals, the blue-and-gold now advance to a semifinal showdown with the New York Knicks. Knicks disposed of the Cleveland Cavaliers relatively easily in their opening round series.
While the star-powered Knicks led by Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson present a formidable challenge, the Pacers hope to keep riding the balanced, pass-happy style that served them so well against Milwaukee’s elite defense.
“It’s been a insane journey already, and we’re just half-toasted,” laughed McConnell. “But we believe this is our brew, our espresso shot. We plan to stay caffeinated and percolating deep into June, ya dig?”
Indeed, few could have predicted Indiana’s inspired playoff surge after a middling 47-35 campaign and a fourth-place finish in the mediocre Eastern Conference. But this gritty, free-flowing, all-hands-on-deck Pacers squad has magical playoff run brewing in their basketball-obsessed heartland state.
Energizing the Hoosier Faithful
From the bouncy ball movement and plethora of assisted buckets to the surprising contributions from unlikely heroes off the bench, Indiana’s playoff wake-up call has energized the franchise’s faithful fanbase.
Across the basketball-crazed towns and cities of Indiana, the team’s selfless, pass-first style has captivated a Hoosier State that cherishes fundamental team basketball over individual superstars. With their unselfish, infectious brand, these Pacers are keeping the proud tradition of Hoosier Hysteria around the sport very much alive and well.
“This particular crew doesn’t get bogged down in all that individual glory chasing or mass consumption ego stroking,” said Turner. “We’re always looking for communication breakdowns, passing up solid looks, chances to hit the open teammate. That constant chatting and unselfish formula – it’s just kinda how we Hoosiers hoop.”
As delirious locals and the rest of the basketball world are learning: when it comes to team-first, pass-happy basketball – few currently do it better than this unified Pacers roster. Their unselfish run shows no signs of stopping as they take aim at the Big Apple.
