Pacers dominate Bucks with Siakam and Haliburton's stellar performances

The Indiana Pacers secured a decisive victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on April 22, 2025, in Indianapolis during the first round of the NBA playoffs, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. Pascal Siakam played a crucial role, scoring 24 points and pulling down 11 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 21 points and 12 assists. The Pacers established superiority early on, leading 31-16 within the first 7.5 minutes of the game and maintaining this momentum throughout, marking their dominance in the series. The Bucks, feeling the pressure, were unable to capitalize on the advantage of having won three of their four regular-season matchups against the Pacers. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s performance, though strong with 34 points and 18 rebounds, was not enough to put the Bucks ahead, as they struggled to respond effectively to the Pacers’ pace and strategy. The game was marked by physical intensity and tension, as evidenced in a scuffle resulting in double technical fouls. The coaching tactics of Indiana, led by Rick Carlisle, created significant mismatches against the Bucks, who appeared outmatched and outplayed. Despite a late-game rally by the Bucks, which included a 13-0 run to shrink their deficit, it was Siakam's timely three-pointer that helped seal the victory. This win places Indiana in a favorable position as they look to continue their winning streak against the Bucks, who must regroup for the upcoming Game 3 in Milwaukee, facing mounting pressure to perform under urgency to avoid falling 3-0 in the series.