Myles Turner Propels Pacers To ‘Special’ Game 4 Win Over Bucks For 3-1 Series Lead

Myles Turner showcased his remarkable three-point shooting prowess on Sunday night, leading the Indiana Pacers to a pivotal 126-113 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. This win gives the Pacers a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series and sets a new franchise record with 22 three-pointers made in an NBA playoff game.

Reflecting on his performance, Turner, who scored 29 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out four assists, shared insights into his approach.

“After that first game, we watched a lot of film and I saw some of the holes in the defense and realized there were open shots we could exploit,” Turner said. “A lot it for me was read-and-react, which is a lot of what our offense is.”

“I’ve been shooting 3s my whole life. think I didn’t shoot too many in college or coming into the league,” Turner explained. “I’ve always been capable, and I’ve been in a lot of work to get to where I need to be. I’ll continue to put my work in and the results will show.”

Turner’s strategy to seize these opportunities without hesitation has clearly paid off, as evidenced by his efficient 7 of 9 shooting from beyond the arc. His impressive display over the last two games has significantly influenced the series, marking playoff career highs and cementing his role as a key player for Indiana.

“Same thing: film work. I saw some film of myself in the past couple of games, where my form wasn’t the right way—I was leaning too much, I was backing out of shots. I studied it a lot. I have my team up here with me. … We spent a lot of time to hone in on my craft and I was able to get hot tonight…”

Amid chants from fans who once doubted his place on the team, Turner’s performance has turned the tide, with the Pacers now just one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2014.

The Bucks, on the other hand, faced challenges with key players sidelined due to injuries. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been out since April 9 with a strained left calf, while Damian Lillard was in a walking boot after an Achilles tendon injury in Friday’s game. The absence of these stars undoubtedly impacted Milwaukee’s performance and strategy.

Despite the setbacks, the Bucks saw strong contributions from Brook Lopez, who led the team with 27 points and nine rebounds, and Khris Middleton, who added 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while nursing a sprained ankle.

The Pacers capitalized on the Bucks’ depth issues, which were exacerbated when Bobby Portis Jr. was ejected in the first quarter following a shoving match with Andrew Nembhard. This incident was part of a tumultuous first half that saw six technical fouls called.

Indiana began to pull away in the third quarter, with Tyrese Haliburton hitting three consecutive 3-pointers, expanding their lead to 17 points. The Bucks attempted a comeback late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, but the Pacers responded with a decisive 10-2 run, effectively sealing the victory.

Reflecting on the moment his three-pointer ignited the crowd’s cheers, Turner expressed his gratitude, “It was very special, knowing how much this city means to me and with my family here, it was very special.”

As the series heads back to Milwaukee for Game 5, the Pacers look to maintain their momentum and close out the series, while the Bucks face the challenge of overcoming injuries and a significant series deficit.