Milwaukee, WI
Indiana Pacers offense wasn’t ready for the moment in Game 5 vs Milwaukee Bucks
MILWAUKEE — Entering Tuesday, the Indiana Pacers were up 3-1 in their first-round series with the Milwaukee Bucks and staring at the end of a possible five-game set. They had won three-straight outings in the series and had momentum — they took care of business on their home court, pulled out a dramatic win in Game 3, and had gotten excellent play from one or more of their big three in every game so far in the best-of-seven.
It was natural to think that Indiana could win Game 5 despite it being a road battle — they already won in Milwaukee during Game 2 — and it felt even more plausible when it was revealed that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard were both out for the Bucks. With two stars sidelined, the Pacers were considered by many to be the favorites.
Instead, it was Milwaukee who ran away with things. Despite Indiana jumping out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter, the Bucks were ahead at halftime, and their lead reached 20+ in the third quarter. The Pacers never had enough fight in them to get back in the game after their great start, and they tossed away their first chance to secure the series victory.
“Sure, yeah,” Pacers center Myles Turner said after the game when asked if it felt like a missed opportunity. “I think that we’re embracing the challenge that’s coming with us. I think that going back to Indy, I think it will be a good setting for us.”
Indiana didn’t look like themselves after the first 12 minutes of play. After making seven three-point shots in the first quarter, they made just five in the rest of the game. That was both due to poor shooting and an inability to create the same quality of looks they did in the opening frame — their attempt rate from deep fell, too.
The Pacers paired that with just 42 points in the paint, a lower number for the blue and gold. In the regular season, they very often climbed past that number, though they have struggled to do so in the postseason through five games.
“We just got stagnant,” Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton said of his team’s offensive performance. “Stopped making shots, stopped playing our brand of basketball.”
In Haliburton’s eyes, the Bucks controlled the pace. When the Pacers have to take the ball out of the net all night, they can’t run and play in transition as often, and they finished this game with just five fast break points, their fewest in the series so far.
Indiana’s bad defense bled into their offense in that way. They conceded 115 points, their most in regulation during the best-of-seven set so far. Milwaukee did well to get to their spots and finish plays with Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis leading the way.
On top of their tempo and defensive struggles, the Pacers stagnated offensively due to the Bucks defensive adjustments. Milwaukee changed their defensive matchups, putting starting center Brook Lopez on Aaron Nesmith and sticking Middleton on Turner. That disrupted the Pacers flow and forced them to think, and they played slower as a result. They rarely got into their second or third actions throughout the night.
The Bucks were switching more often defensively, and they relied on their veterans more often in this game. Pick-and-rolls were less effective as a result. Indiana never figured out a consistent way to break down what the third-seeded Bucks were doing, and it cost them.
“They picked up their intensity,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of the Bucks and their better play. He thinks this series has been about defense. “Having them get to 115… our defense needed to be better.”
In the end, the blue and gold had their worst offensive and defensive game of the series, at least numerically. They rarely got going from deep, couldn’t get into the paint, and struggled with the Bucks new look on defense. That combination crushed Indiana and led to their second defeat in the series.
“I think we settled,” Turner said of his team’s offense. He pointed to their lower-than-usual assist number as evidence that they strayed from their typical play style. “We kind of got away from ourselves.”
Throughout the series, adjustments and focus have been key for the Pacers. They were unfocused early in Game 1, and it cost them. Their inability to adjust and recalibrate during Game 5 was equally punishing. They still have two more chances to close out the series, but they came up short in their first opportunity. The team has to find their identity again while adjusting to Milwaukee’s switch-heavy style.
“I think, more than anything, you have to embrace what’s in front of you… I think we’re definitely looking forward to the challenge,” Turner said of the upcoming task at hand.
Game 6 is on Thursday night in Indianapolis. To get a win and close out the series, the Pacers need to play more like the Pacers and find a way to get their offense going.
- Adjustments and focus were key for Indiana Pacers in Game 4. They will be even more vital the rest of the series. CLICK HERE.
- Myles Turner has his best career playoff game for Indiana Pacers as film time and maturity mesh.CLICK HERE.
- Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers delivered a moment fans waited five years to see. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers survive massive Milwaukee Bucks comeback for overtime win in Game 3. CLICK HERE.
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- Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers
Milwaukee, WI
Leaders from Milwaukee Rep, local Jewish organization team up to support families in need
MILWAUKEE — For 31 years, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater has ended every performance of A Christmas Carol with a heartwarming tradition: cast members ask audience members for donations that are then given to a local charity.
Watch: Milwaukee Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ raises donations for Jewish Family Services
Milwaukee Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ raises donations for Jewish Family Services
This year’s chosen charity is Jewish Family Services, an organization that provides support to families in need throughout the community.
I was there when Jenny from the Rep and Jenny from Jewish Family Services celebrated the generosity of the community, which is providing gifts for families in need this holiday season.
Kidd O’Shea
Behind the scenes at Milwaukee Rep, volunteers were busy wrapping presents for their “A Christmas Carol Families” program. The initiative aligns perfectly with the theater’s mission of creating positive change in the community.
“This goes right to our mission of creating positive change in the community, and when we’re doing a play like A Christmas Carol, what better show to be able to use the themes from that production of generosity and compassion over greed to make sure that we’re walking the walk as well when we are saying, ‘Hey community, we should be doing this,’ right? So this is one example of how we can create that change in the community as well,” said Jenny from Milwaukee Rep.
The donations collected from theatergoers will make a significant impact for families served by Jewish Family Services, which has been operating since 1867.
“It’s going to make such a huge difference. These are families facing the harshest of circumstances. We’ve been in existence since 1867, but this year we have such extreme need from all the families we serve,” said Jenny from Jewish Family Services.
Even small contributions from audience members attending the beloved Milwaukee holiday tradition add up to meaningful support for local families.
“To everyone who went to see A Christmas Carol, which is such a holiday tradition here in Milwaukee, and made a donation — maybe it was just $1 or a couple bucks here and there — it all adds up and really is community showing up for community,” I said.
“We’re so grateful to have been chosen this year, and to align our missions like this with the Rep is just a community outpouring of support that is going to go directly to benefit some people who will be very grateful,” said Jenny from Jewish Family Services.
The longstanding tradition demonstrates how the theater continues to give back to Milwaukee, extending the spirit of the holiday classic beyond the stage and into the community.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
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Milwaukee, WI
Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive
Thanks to generous viewers, TMJ4’s Home 4 the Holidays Virtual Food Drive raised more than $29,000 for Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force — money that will help get food on tables this holiday season.
The donations came as the Hunger Task Force reports a 35% increase in traffic at local pantry networks over the past year.
The fundraising effort marks the 10th year that Raymond James, TMJ4, and Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force have partnered for the Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive. The online platform allows people to purchase an assortment of holiday food choices from the comfort of their own home or office.
Gary Sievewright from Raymond James explained why the company continues its annual participation.
Watch: Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive
Community raises over $29,000 during Home 4 the Holidays virtual food drive
“It’s part of our culture to be involved in the community, and we just love the need to help people that really have a need for food, right? So this is a passion of ours, it’s a passion of yours. We love the partnership, and we’re happy to raise as much money as we can every year,” Sievewright said.
People can continue making donations by visiting HungerTaskForce.org to help feed families in need this holiday season.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
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Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee New Year’s Eve Free Rides; MCTS, Molson Coors team up
Milwaukee New Year’s Eve Free Rides
In partnership with Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), the Miller Lite Free Rides program returns to Milwaukee as people ring in the new year.
MILWAUKEE – In partnership with Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), the Miller Lite Free Rides program returns to Milwaukee as people ring in the new year.
The program got its start in 1988 and provides residents with free transportation to celebrate the new year responsibly.
This year’s program is especially meaningful as Miller Lite celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Free Rides program approaches 10 million rides provided nationwide.
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Visit the MCTS website to find the most popular routes. You can also download the UMO app to plan and track your bus in real-time.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by Molson Coors Beverage Company.
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