At this point, it's clear that the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers aren't the fondest of each other.
It all started last season, as every regular season contest was so intense that it felt like it had a playoff atmosphere. Of course, as fate would have it, the two teams did indeed go on to meet in the playoffs, where the Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Bucks went down in six games. These matchups are fierce, tense and always full of storylines.
One Pacer who has been essential in that is Tyrese Haliburton, the Wisconsin native who clearly enjoys playing the Bucks. During last season's In-Season Tournament, Haliburton, who outplayed Damian Lillard in the game, hit a clutch shot late and pulled out Lillard's "Dame Time" celebration to rub salt in the wound.
Well, Haliburton doused some more salt in a gaping wound in his last game against Milwaukee.
Tyrese Haliburton mocks Damian Lillard's celebration once again
After hitting an improbable 3-point shot and getting fouled by Giannis Antetokounmpo in the closing seconds of Tuesday night's game to give his team a chance to all but seal the win, Haliburton started tapping his wrist. It was his time. Indeed, the guard sunk the free throw, and the Pacers stole victory from the jaws of defeat as the Milwaukee Bucks flat-out collapsed.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard could only watch as he had a brutal night. He was thoroughly outplayed by Tyrese Haliburton, scoring just 15 points on 14 shot attempts and disappearing for most of the fourth quarter. Last season, Lillard said that he "respected" Haliburton pulling out the celebration but also warned the star guard to be humble. Haliburton clearly didn't take his advice, and understandably so.
The Pacers currently have the edge in this rivalry, and Tuesday night's game was a perfect showing of why that is. They're the younger, hungrier team. The Milwaukee Bucks, despite their experience, made several key errors down the stretch and essentially coughed this one up. It has to irk them, especially after falling to Indy in last year's playoffs. Oh, and it looks like they could meet there again very soon.
The best way for Lillard and the Bucks to shut the Pacers up is by simply winning games. They need to up the intensity and match what Indiana is showing in each of these games. Haliburton hitting the "Dame Time" should give Lillard some needed fuel for the next time these two teams play, which will be in a few short days.
Along with Lillard, the rest of this roster should be fired up, especially with how close these two teams are in the Eastern Conference standings right now. Losing three in a row, this team needs a major jolt, and perhaps Tyrese Haliburton's antics could be just that. It will be very telling to see how the Bucks come out and play against Indiana in their meeting Saturday.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.