The Bucks remembered they’re the Bucks — and the Pacers forgot how to third quarter.
Buckle up, NBA fans, because Game 3 between the Bucks and Pacers felt less like a playoff clash and more like Milwaukee hosting a “Welcome Back to Reality” party. Final score? Bucks 117, Pacers 101, and trust me — it wasn’t even that close after halftime.
First half? Pacers had it going. Pascal Siakam was dancing around the Bucks’ defense like he just discovered the turbo button, and Indiana strutted into halftime up 57-47. Confidence was high. Probably too high.
Enter third quarter… and enter Gary Trent Jr., aka “The Human Microwave,” who cooked the Pacers like leftover pizza at 3 a.m. My man tied a franchise playoff record by hitting NINE threes. Somewhere, Ray Allen just slow-clapped from a recliner.
Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo casually decided, “Oh right, I’m the Greek Freak,” and dropped a cool 37 points with 12 boards and 6 assists, because why not flex while you’re already winning?
The Bucks’ third quarter run was so brutal that somewhere a Pacers fan tried to unplug the scoreboard. Milwaukee outscored Indy 39-18 in that 12-minute span, and the vibes shifted faster than a bad first date.
AJ Green came off the bench like he was speedrunning “NBA Jam” — nailed four triples and basically told the Pacers’ defense to hold this L.
On Indiana’s side, it wasn’t all bad. Pascal Siakam still balled out with 28 points. But Tyrese Haliburton was quieter than a group chat after you say “we need to talk.”
By the time the fourth quarter started, half the Fiserv Forum crowd was already googling flights to the Finals. Bucks’ fans left buzzing. Pacers’ fans left wondering if third quarters are optional.
Now it’s 2-1 in the series, and Game 4 is basically “must-win or bust” for Indiana. Milwaukee smells blood — and Gary Trent Jr. smells like burnt nets.
Stay tuned. If Game 4 is anything like this… we might need popcorn and therapy.