Pacers Beat Bucks 117-98 to Lead Playoff Series 1-0

The Indiana Pacers opened their NBA playoff series with a commanding 117-98 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, taking a 1-0 lead. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 25 points and seven rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton contributed 10 points and 12 assists, and Myles Turner added 19 points and four blocks. The Pacers built a lead of up to 28 points and held the Bucks to just three points over the final 5:24 of the third quarter, fending off a brief Milwaukee rally. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 36 points and 12 rebounds but received little support from his teammates and was limited to just one assist. Milwaukee struggled from three-point range, shooting only 9-of-37, and missed All-Star guard Damian Lillard, who was sidelined with a calf injury. Indiana's defense and balanced offense set the tone for the series, as they seek their first playoff series win since 2014.