Tyrese Haliburton lifts Pacers over Bucks for 2-1 series edge

Tyrese Haliburton converted a three-point play with 1.6 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Indiana Pacers to a 121-118 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series in Indianapolis.Haliburton gained separation after using a nifty crossover on Patrick Beverley before sinking a shot from the foul line. He added a free throw to complete his 18-point, 16-assist, 10-rebound performance and overcome a scintillating 42-point effort by Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton.Myles Turner collected 29 points and nine rebounds and Pascal Siakam added 17 and nine, respectively, to help the sixth-seeded Pacers seize a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series.Game 4 is Sunday in Indianapolis.Middleton drained a 3-pointer to forge a tie at 111-111 with 2.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Middleton was not done, however, as he answered Aaron Nesmith’s corner 3 by banking home his shot from beyond the arc with eight seconds left in overtime before Haliburton’s heroics.Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard overcame an apparent left leg injury late in the first quarter to finish with 28 points, eight assists and three steals. Bobby Portis collected 17 points and 18 rebounds for the third-seeded Bucks, who played their sixth straight game without two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (left calf strain).