Siakam explodes for 37 points to spark Pacers win

LOS ANGELES – Pascal Siakam poured in 37 points to guide the Indiana Pacers to an impressive series-leveling win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday (Wednesday Manila time).

Siakam finished with 11 rebounds and six assists while Myles Turner added 22 and Andrew Nembhard 20 as the Pacers claimed a deserved win.

"He just doesn't get rattled," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of Siakam. "He plays the game at his pace. He was excellent tonight.

"He's a unique player. His experience shows and he had a lot of big, big plays for us tonight... his experience in the playoffs is invaluable. He's a guy that players look up to."

Milwaukee started brightly, with Damian Lillard once again taking on the lion's share of the scoring duties in the absence of the injured Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But Lillard's 34 points were not enough to keep the Pacers at arm's length. Indiana took the lead just before half-time and finally pulled away in the fourth quarter, leading by 23 points at one stage.

"Give them credit, their pressure forced us into taking tough shots," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said.

"They pushed us around. I thought they were the more physical team tonight."

Game 3 in the series takes place in Indianapolis on Friday.