MILWAUKEE — It’s hard to tell exactly what creates a rivalry, and it’s even harder to tell if the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks have created one. On one hand, they’ve played intense, physical games already this season. There have been multiple technical fouls in each of the team’s last two duels. The chippiness of every Pacers vs Bucks event has crescendoed. There have been many big moments in the battles between the two franchises this season. When they met for the first time of the campaign back in November, Milwaukee star and former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 54 points. But the Pacers did well to match the Bucks elsewhere that night, and they spoiled the Greek Freak’s epic performance. Behind excellent guard play, Indiana won by two.
They next faced off a few weeks later in the In-Season Tournament Semifinals. The Bucks, who won a championship two seasons ago and are used to the big stage, were the favorites. But Indiana won fairly handily, controlling the game for much of the 48 minutes. That night, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-sealing shot and celebrated by looking at his wrist, simulating using a watch. That is the typical celebration of Bucks star Damian Lillard, though both guards were positive about the moment after the game. Their third meeting of the season was the most dramatic. Antetokounmpo hit Haliburton with a hard foul early in the game. Aaron Nesmith wrapped up the former MVP on a layup later in the night. Bobby Portis was ejected. Tensions were high, both because of the In-Season Tournament game and because the Bucks desire to avoid a third-straight loss to the same opponent.
After the outing, a Bucks victory, there was some drama related to the game ball. Antetokounmpo claimed the Pacers took it after he scored 64 points, a Milwaukee franchise record. Later, it was reported that Indiana was unhappy with Giannis appearing to run up the score, and the Bucks star claimed that he was frustrated with the Pacers for avoiding handshakes after the game. Regardless of what specific events led to an altercation, one took place in the tunnels of Fiserv Forum. Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan was elbowed in the ribs during the fracas.
