SECURE THE BOARD. Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (middle) grabs the rebound against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (left) and center Jarrett Allen (right) in an NBA game in Indianapolis. / AP

Pacers, Bucks extend win streak to 6

Published on:

Apr 11, 2025, 10:13 am

INDIANAPOLIS -- Tyrese Haliburton scored eight of his 23 points during a key scoring run in the fourth quarter and Aaron Nesmith added 22 points to help the Indiana Pacers rally past the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers,114-112, in the National Basketball Association on Friday, April 11, 2025 (PH time)

Indiana won its sixth straight and secured a top-four seed and the home-court advantage in a playoff series for the first time since 2014. The Pacers are also one win away from their first 50-win season since 2013-14.

Haliburton added 10 assists, eight rebounds and three blocks while making four 3-pointers. Myles Turner had 13 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.

Cleveland’s Ty Jerome finished with 24 points and six assists despite being held out of the fourth quarter. De’Andre Hunters had 23 points and 11 rebounds. And, Jaylon Tyson missed a midrange jumper at the buzzer that could have forced overtime.

Coach Kenny Atkinson rested four of his five starters because the Cavs had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the East. Center Jarett Allen grabbed 10 rebounds in the first half before joining the starters on the bench, and Atkinson was ejected after drawing consecutive technical fouls for arguing following a no-call with 58.6 seconds left in the third quarter.

Over in Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 11 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks extended their winning streak to six games with a 136-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Kevin Porter Jr. had 20 points and seven assists, Kyle Kuzma and Gary Trent Jr. each scored 17 points, Bobby Portis added 14 and Ryan Rollins finished with 12 for the Bucks.

Milwaukee moves on to an important two-game, regular-season ending series against the Detroit Pistons on Friday and Sunday.

Lester Quinones scored 21 points and Jamal Cain and Keion Brooks Jr. each had 20 as the Pelicans dropped their fifth straight game. Antonio Reeves scored 16 while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Karlo Matkovic contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds apiece. / AP