Playing without seven players due to injury, the Pacers hung tough with the Milwaukee Bucks through one half on Thursday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but trailed Milwaukee at halftime, 69-66.
The Pacers may have been shorthanded, but Justin Holiday picked up the slack early. Playing in his 500th career game, Holiday hit his first four 3-point attempts over the opening 5:06, helping Indiana jump out to a 21-12 lead.
Milwaukee responded with a 16-6 spurt to take the lead for the first time on the night. The Pacers briefly moved back in front on a Doug McDermott 3-pointer, but a Jeff Teague three on the other end put the Bucks back in front and the visitors maintained a narrow lead for the remainder of the quarter.