NBA Playoffs 2024: Bucks secure victory over Pacers, Maxey leads a thrilling OT win for the 76ers
After a commanding 115-92 victory over the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks edge closer to welcoming Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard from injury, narrowing the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series to 3-2. Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey's stellar 46-point performance ensures the Philadelphia 76ers stay alive in their matchup against the New York Knicks, while the Cleveland Cavaliers surge ahead against the Orlando Magic.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers says Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are “very, very, very close” to a return from injury after his side beat the Indiana Pacers to keep their hopes of winning the NBA title alive.
In their absence, Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis Jr. both scored 29 points in a 115-92 victory, which reduced the Pacers’ lead to 3-2 in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.
The Bucks have no room for error as they look to keep their campaign going, but could be boosted by the return of two-star players for Game 6.
Antetokounmpo has not featured since suffering a calf problem during a regular season win over the Boston Celtics on April 9. Lillard twisted his left knee in Game 3 of their series with the Pacers. Both were watching from the bench on Tuesday night.
Asked after the game if both could feature during Thursday’s match in Indianapolis, Rivers replied: “I don't know how to answer that. I know I hope. I think they're very, very, very close.”
Jalen Brunson scored 40 points but the New York Knicks could not close out their series with the Philadelphia 76ers, who were inspired by Tyrese Maxey’s 46 points in a 112-106 overtime victory.
The result narrowed the Knicks’ lead to 3-2, with Joel Embiid registering a triple-double by contributing 19 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
With 28 seconds left in regulation time, the Madison Square Garden crowd were ready to celebrate progression to the semi-finals before Maxey stepped in.
The 76ers were down six points but the 23-year-old guard cut the lead to two before Josh Hart converted a free throw to take the match to OT, which the visitors took advantage of.
“It was a tough way to lose because you get up six, eight and then we had a couple of turnovers and we’ve got to just be better,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau.
“Play tougher with the lead, use good judgement. The fourth quarter is different, understand the difference. So we can do better and we will.”
The Cleveland Cavaliers survived a scare against the Orlando Magic, going 3-2 up in their series with a one-point victory in Ohio.
Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points in a 104-103 win, which was almost stolen by Orlando in the closing seconds when Evan Mobley blocked Franz Wagner’s lay-up.
Paolo Banchero had done his best to get Magic in a winning position, finishing as the game’s top scorer with 39 in total.
“Mobley was huge,” said Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff, following his player’s key intervention.
“He had a great block. Evan was phenomenal defensively. Containing the ball, challenging shots, forcing misses and helping us rebound.”
Orlando will host Game 6 on Friday, while the two other series played on Tuesday night will resume on Thursday.
