Pacers star Tyrese Halliburton making a game-winning layup in Game 3 against the Bucks. Photo Credit: ESPN
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Friday’s Game 3 matchup between the Indiana Pacers and the Milwaukee Bucks featured one of the most thrilling endings in the playoffs thus far in a game where it didn’t always look like that would be close.

The Pacers got out to a terrific start in the game, leading by as many as 19 points in the first quarter of the game. But the Bucks were able to battle back to make the game a competitive one that was hanging in the balance to the final play of regulation.

It looked like the Pacers were going to come away with a three-point victory in regulation after Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith made a pair of free throws with 6.2 seconds remaining.

Instead, Bucks star Khris Middleton had a prayer of a three-point shot fall with 2.1 seconds to go to send the game to overtime.

Things didn’t calm down much once it got to overtime. Again, it looked like the Pacers may come away with a three-point win in overtime. But Middleton had other plans once again, coming up clutch with another miraculous three to tie the game.

This time though, the Pacers had an answer to put the game away once and for all. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton quickly rushed down the court and fought through contact to make a floater plus the foul to give the Pacers a lead they would not relinquish.

As you would expect, many fans took to social media to offer their reactions to this thrilling ending.

For the Pacers, this game was essentially a must-win considering the Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who could make a return later in this series.

Taking as many games as possible before his potential return is essential if they are going to come away with an upset in this series.

For the Bucks, this kind of loss is certainly crushing since they had a real opportunity to steal a game on the road here, which the Pacers were able to do in Game 2.

The series is still very much up for grabs. But this win for the Pacers should certainly be a warning to the Bucks that they are very much a real threat to take the series, despite their lack of postseason experience.

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About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.

View all posts by Reice Shipley