Indiana Pacers success against Milwaukee Bucks shows growth and direction of Pacers franchise

The Pacers went 4-1 against the Bucks this season

From December 13, 2018 through March 15, 2023, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks one time. They lost 14 times, including 10 in a row at one point. The only victory came on February 12, 2020, and Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't play in that game.

In every way, the 2021 NBA Champions owned the Pacers. Every meeting felt like a scheduled loss for Indiana. During their 10-game losing streak to Milwaukee, the Pacers lost eight of those games by 10+ points. The other two losses were by exactly nine points. They had little chance against the Bucks in the last half decade.

Now? That couldn't be further from the truth. Indiana just wrapped up their five-game set with the Bucks this season, a reality that was made possible because the two teams met in the In-Season Tournament Semifinals. The Pacers went 4-1 against Antetokounmpo and co, handing Milwaukee 40% of their losses this season to date.

Wednesday night, the two teams closed the chapter of their 2023-24 series. The Pacers won by 12, and they dominated the second half of the game. They threw funky coverages at Antetokounmpo, attacked the paint, and got to the foul line. It was one of the most impressive performances of the Pacers season.

"They played hard. They've been more physical. They've executed better. They're making shots, they're playing together, they're playing fast," Antetokounmpo said of the blue and gold beating his team four times this season. "Now you have that, and you think about it."

For the Pacers, who have won five games in a row and sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference at 19-14, there are few better signs of their growth than their success against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are in second place in the conference and are 23-6 against non-Indiana opponents. They are a contender, and they have formed a mini-rivalry with the Pacers.

Yet the young, ascending Pacers toppled them four times. "It shows a lot of maturity," center Jalen Smith said of his team improving their fortunes against Milwaukee. He knows the Bucks well after facing them in the 2021 NBA Finals as a member of the Phoenix Suns, and he noted that his current team is clearly taking strides.

The odd part of the Pacers season has been their ability to both win, and lose, against anybody. Beyond taking down the Bucks four times in 55 days, they also have wins over Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Cleveland, and New York. But they were defeated by Portland, Charlotte, Washington, Chicago, and Toronto. At their best, the Pacers look fantastic and have earned respect. At their worst, they still look like a young, inconsistent team that isn't mentally prepared every night.

Indiana's wins over the Bucks shows that they can keep up with contenders, though. Their resume isn't a fluke, and they couldn't snag these victories last season. The Pacers are 11-8 vs teams that are above .500 this campaign. They went 18-33 in those games in 2022-23. Clearly, growth is happening.

"I think we're just getting up for these games. As a young group, when you play good teams, you want to be as prepared for them as you can," star guard Tyrese Haliburton said of his team's success against Milwaukee. "I think part of the maturation of this group is being able to continue that competitiveness and being up for games that aren't against the Bucks."

He is spot on. The Pacers are maturing, and since their loss to Washington on the road last month, they have seemed to take everything a little bit more seriously. An intense practice on December 19 combined with a starting lineup change has the team humming. 

Altering their fortunes against Milwaukee shows that. Even after the scrum involving the game ball a few weeks ago, the Pacers were focused and ready for the moment in their ensuing games with the Bucks. That shows what they can do when they are locked in. They can be great.

"Well, between my first year here and my second year here, the team improved. Added more pieces, got a clear direction. Between year two and this year, we've improved some more with experience, adding Bruce [Brown], and adding Obi [Toppin]. And so we're just really working at raising our level. You can't skip steps," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said of what his team's success against Milwaukee this season means. He added that the goal is still to be a playoff team. That requires more maturity, and the Pacers have shown it of late.

They still have work to do. For example, they play Atlanta on Friday before two straight against the Celtics. Can they young group stay focused on the Hawks and not look ahead to the big games that follow it? Will they be ready for the Wizards next Wednesday, which is perhaps their easiest scheduled game this month? Any slip ups in focus or effort would be a step back for the blue and gold.

They haven't had a setback in a while, though. They are unbeaten since Christmas, and the entire roster has bought into their current roles and defensive focus. The Pacers look great at the moment and hold the longest winning streak in the NBA. Their success against the Bucks has the team confident and shows the direction that Carlsile alluded to.

They are building a winner. They still have a ways to go to be a contender themselves, but they are able to beat contenders when playing their best. That's the sign of a looming team.

"I think it shows a lot," center Isaiah Jackson said of his squad's improved fortunes against Milwaukee. They will try to ride their high against different opponents going forward, but the blue and gold appear to be headed upwards at a crucial time on the calendar.

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• Tyrese Haliburton ties Indiana Pacers franchise single-game assist record with second-consecutive historic performance. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers change starting lineup to get more consistent physicality and defense on the court. CLICK HERE.
• Obi Toppin battles New York Knicks, and brother Jacob, for first time since trade: 'He's fit in well here'. CLICK HERE.
• Dominant second half leads Indiana Pacers over Milwaukee Bucks for fifth-straight win. CLICK HERE.
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