The Indiana Pacers faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 31, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, for what turned out to be a thrilling game. The Bucks emerged victorious, overcoming a significant deficit to defeat the Pacers with a final score of 120-112. Early on, it seemed the Pacers, buoyed by their recent success against the Boston Celtics, had taken control of the game.
At the opening tip, the Pacers came out strong, leading 64-53 by halftime. Tyrese Haliburton was pivotal during the first half, showcasing his scoring ability and playmaking skills. Alongside him, Bennedict Mathurin emerged as another offensive force, contributing significantly and keeping the Pacers competitive.
Leading 83-64 late in the third quarter, the Pacers appeared poised for victory, but the Bucks demonstrated incredible resilience. Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had struggled early on and scored only four points by halftime, rallied back with authority, finishing the game with 30 points and 12 rebounds. This comeback was marked by Antetokounmpo's aggressive play, precision shooting, and leadership on the court.
The turning point came when Antetokounmpo dominated the second half and the Bucks turned up their defensive intensity. They outscored the Pacers 67-48 after halftime, and it was clear the energy had shifted. Alongside Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis Jr. contributed to the offensive resurgence, adding 16 and 14 points respectively.
Despite their strong first-half performance, the Pacers were unable to maintain their momentum. Mathurin, who had been key to Indiana's lead, struggled to cope with Milwaukee's renewed defensive pressure late in the game. While he finished the game with 25 points, it was clear the Pacers were missing opportunities to capitalize on their earlier dominance.
Adding to the Pacers' woes was the disappointing performance of Damian Lillard, who was unable to find his rhythm throughout the evening. He ended the game with just nine points, shooting 3 of 14 from the field. His struggles were accentuated by missed opportunities, particularly during the first half when he failed to score, missing all seven of his attempts.
Gary Trent Jr. made some key contributions for the Bucks, hitting two pivotal three-point shots late in the game. His first trey broke the tie and gave Milwaukee momentum, and the second shot with just 1:39 left ensured the Bucks were up 115-110, staving off the Pacers' attempts to recover.
With this win, the Bucks improved their record to 17-14, whereas the Pacers fell to 16-18, complicifying their efforts for playoff positioning. The game was also notable as the Bucks had come off back-to-back losses before this matchup, and this victory was instrumental for their morale.
The Bucks are now preparing to host the Brooklyn Nets, hoping to ride their momentum from this significant comeback win. On the other hand, the Pacers will travel to Miami to face the Heat, aiming to bounce back quickly from this disappointing loss. Each team hopes to build on their respective efforts as the NBA season continues.