3 reasons why the reigning champion Bucks dominated the Pacers

James Boyd, Indianapolis Star
·5 min read

INDIANAPOLIS – A few hours after the Colts fell to the NFL defending champion Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, the Pacers experienced the same fate against the NBA defending champion Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game was tied after the first quarter, but reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. were able to pull away for a 118-100 victory, extending their winning streak to seven games. Here’s what stood out:

Domantas Sabonis held scoreless in first half

Domantas Sabonis had arguably his worst game of the season Sunday. The two-time all-star was 0-of-4 shooting in the first half, got called for an offensive foul on Milwaukee’s Bobby Portis and committed three turnovers.

Sabonis, who entered the game averaging 18.0 points, finally scored his first points on a pair of free throws at the 8:03 mark of the third quarter that cut the Bucks’ lead to 63-60. He made his only field goal a few plays later on an and-1 dunk but missed the ensuing free throw. The 6-foot-11 big man finished with a season-low four points on 1-of-8 shooting.

"We're seeing virtually every team we play swarm Sabonis, put two or three guys (on him), hack (and) slash at him," Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said. "And if you look at his arms, you'll see all kinds of mark, cuts and stuff like that. It's indicative of the respect that teams have for him, but I do think he takes a beating in there."

As Sabonis struggled, Caris LeVert had one of his best games of the season. He was 9-of-13 shooting for a team-high 23 points, highlighted by 18 in the first half.

More: A big shot, a big assist and a night Pacers rookie Chris Duarte will never forget

Nov 28, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis (11) moves to shoot the ball while Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Nov 28, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis (11) moves to shoot the ball while Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis (9) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Can't stop Giannis Antekounmpo

Carlisle described Antekounmpo as “one of the greatest competitors” he’s ever seen. A big reason is Antekounmpo’s relentlessness. After driving to the basket, drawing a shooting foul on Justin Holiday and missing his first two free throws early in the first quarter, Antekounmpo remained unfazed. On the Bucks’ next possession, Antekounmpo cut to the basket, caught on a pass from Jrue Holiday (Justin’s younger brother) and made a layup despite being wacked on the arms by Myles Turner.

Those were Milwaukee’s first points in the paint Sunday, and it was a sign of things to come as the Bucks outscored Indiana 62-36 in the paint.

Antekounmpo totaled 26 points and 13 rebounds for his 12th double-double.

"Having played there for three years, they're a team that funnels everything to their big. That's either Brook (Lopez), Giannis or whoever's in the game," said Malcolm Brogdon, who scored 16 points. "And those guys do a good job of staying at the rim, staying in the paint, and it makes it tough to score on them."

Jrue Holiday does it all

When the Bucks won their first title in 50 years last season, Jrue Holiday was the piece that put them over the top. The veteran guard is one of the premier on-ball defenders in the league, and Sunday he showed that he’s pretty good at a few other things, too.

Jrue Holiday, who is married to former Ben Davis High School soccer star Lauren Cheaney, had a near triple-double with 23 points, seven rebounds and nine assists as Milwaukee defeated Indiana for the second time this season.

"He's good at everything," LeVert said. " ... I think he fits perfectly on that team around Giannis and (Khris) Middleton as well."


Milwaukee 118, Indiana 100

MILWAUKEE (118): G.Antetokounmpo 10-15 6-10 26, Middleton 6-13 1-1 14, Portis 5-10 4-4 15, Allen 3-5 0-0 8, Jr.Holiday 11-21 0-0 23, Kalaitzakis 0-0 0-0 0, Nwora 0-2 0-0 0, Mamukelashvili 1-1 0-0 2, Hood 1-4 0-0 3, Connaughton 6-11 1-1 14, Hill 3-8 6-6 13, Robinson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 46-90 18-22 118.

INDIANA (100): Ju.Holiday 4-11 0-0 10, Sabonis 1-8 2-3 4, Turner 1-4 0-0 2, Brogdon 5-12 4-4 16, LeVert 9-13 1-2 23, Craig 1-3 0-0 3, Duarte 4-10 0-0 10, Jackson 2-4 0-0 4, Martin 3-6 1-2 7, Bitadze 0-1 0-0 0, Lamb 0-4 0-0 0, Brissett 3-5 1-2 8, McConnell 4-9 2-2 10, Wanamaker 1-2 1-1 3. Totals 38-92 12-16 100.

Milwaukee 26 26 39 27 — 118

Indiana 26 21 27 26 — 100

3-Point Goals—Milwaukee 8-35 (Allen 2-4, Hood 1-2, Portis 1-3, Hill 1-5, Middleton 1-5, Connaughton 1-6, Jr.Holiday 1-7, G.Antetokounmpo 0-2), Indiana 12-45 (LeVert 4-5, Duarte 2-6, Brogdon 2-8, Ju.Holiday 2-8, Craig 1-2, Brissett 1-3, McConnell 0-2, Sabonis 0-2, Lamb 0-3, Turner 0-3). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_Milwaukee 52 (G.Antetokounmpo 13), Indiana 45 (Sabonis 10). Assists_Milwaukee 27 (Jr.Holiday 9), Indiana 21 (Sabonis 5). Total Fouls_Milwaukee 14, Indiana 21. A_13,130 (20,000)

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers vs. Bucks: 3 reasons the reigning champs dominated the Pacers