Jrue Holiday was listed as probable going into today’s game due to a sprained right ankle. Fortunately for the Milwaukee Bucks, Holiday was able to play. It was a good thing he did because his late game heroics helped the Bucks storm back from a 13-point deficit to win the game against the Indiana Pacers.
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The Bucks Were Short-Handed, Even with Jrue Holiday
Earlier in the day, the Bucks and their fans were hopeful that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be able to play after missing the two games in Miami with knee soreness. However, the two-time MVP ended up sitting out of this contest, as did Joe Ingles.
In addition to Giannis and Ingles, Serge Ibaka remained out as he is away from the team due to a personal matter. Over the weekend, head coach Mike Budenholzer said he does not anticipate Ibaka rejoining the team.
Jrue Holiday and the Bucks Fell Behind Early
Pacers bench player T.J. McConnell had a career game, especially in the first half. He ended the first half with 21 points and made all of his shots. The Pacers led 76-65 at halftime, and the Bucks seemed at a loss for how to defend McConnell.
Coach Budenholzer and the Bucks, however, made some great halftime adjustments. McConnell was held to eight points for the remainder of the game thanks in large part to some defensive shifts. Notably, George Hill and Wes Matthews, both of whom had not played very much as of late, came up with big defensive plays against a variety of Pacers players.
The Bucks Got Hot from Three
The Milwaukee Bucks made a season-high 23 three pointers against the Pacers while shooting 50% from beyond the arc. Jrue Holiday led the team in three-pointers made and attempted, going 5-8. Jordan Nwora received some rare big minutes as MarJon Beauchamp was held out of game action. Nwora took advantage of the opportunity and was a perfect 4-4 from three.
Jrue Holiday Led the Charge in the Second Half
The Bucks trailed by 11 points at halftime and by 13 early in third quarter. For most of the game, it certainly seemed like they were headed for their third straight loss. However, Holiday scored 21 of his game-high 35 points in the second half. Holiday also had 11 assists, giving him his third double-double in as many games.
Box Score: Milwaukee Bucks
- Brook Lopez: 19 points, six rebounds, one assist, one block
- Jrue Holiday: 35 points, four rebounds, 11 assists, two steals
- Pat Connaughton: eight points, eight rebounds, one assist, one steal
- Bobby Portis: 21 points, 11 rebounds, four assists
- Grayson Allen: 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals
- George Hill: nine points, six assists, three steals
- Jordan Nwora: 14 points, six rebounds, two assists
- Wes Matthews: two points, one rebound, one assist
- Jevon Carter: one point, one assist
- AJ Green: six points, one rebound, one steal
Box Score: Indiana Pacers
- Aaron Nesmith: seven points, one rebound
- Myles Turner: 30 points, eight rebounds, two assists, four blocks
- Andrew Nembhard: seven points, two rebounds, nine assists, two steals
- Buddy Hield: 18 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal
- Bennedict Mathurin: 12 points, eight rebounds, one assist
- Jalen Smith: two points, one rebound
- Oshae Brissett: five points, seven rebounds, one assist, one block
- Isaiah Jackson: three points
- T.J. McConnell: 29 points, five rebounds, nine assists, three steals
- Chris Duarte: six points, two assists
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