In Game 3 of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks, Tyrese Haliburton hit a floater from the free throw line with 1.6 seconds left in overtime, giving the Indiana Pacers a 121-118 victory. The win gives Indiana a 2-1 series lead.
Khris Middleton hit a 3-pointer from the top of the arc with eight seconds left, tying the score at 118-118 and nearly sending the game into a second overtime. Middleton hit 3-pointers from Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith to tie the game at 111-111 with 2.1 seconds left in regulation and send the game into the first overtime.
Middleton was listed as questionable with an ankle injury on Thursday, but had 42 points (4-of-9 3-pointers) and 10 rebounds for the Bucks.
Damian Lillard added 28 points in the loss, but suffered an apparent knee injury late in the first quarter that appeared to keep him out.
Lillard took the ball to the basket against Pascal Siakam and landed hard on his left foot. He immediately fell to the floor, clutching his knee in pain. Trainers observed him on the Bucks' bench and took him to the locker room. At halftime, Lillard had only scored nine points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field.
If that left knee was bothering Lillard, he certainly didn't show it in the second half. The eight-time All-Star returned with 17 points in the second half. He had 28 points, eight assists, and three steals.
The Bucks entered the series shorthanded with Giannis Antetokounmpo out with a calf injury. Despite finishing as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, the possibility of Milwaukee losing to the No. 6 Pacers has become very real.
Game 4 of the series is scheduled for Sunday in Indianapolis. Tip-off is at 7:00 pm ET and the broadcast will be broadcast on TNT.
