Gary Trent Jr. repaid Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers’ trust with the decision to be a starter for the first time this playoffs.
Trent Jr. exploded for a playoff-career-high 37 points, and the Bucks rode a blistering third-quarter explosion to dismiss the Indiana Pacers, 117-101, in Game 3 of their East opening-round series, Tuesday (PH time), April 29.
“My mindset was just to come in and get a win," Trent told reporters in the post-game press conference.
The Bucks did, as the 26-year-old —who replaced Taurean Prince in the starting line-up — also drilled nine triples to tie the franchise playoff record set by Ray Allen in 2001.
Milwaukee also trimmed the Pacers’ lead to 2-1, with a chance of knotting the series up at two-game apiece come Game 4 on Monday (PH time), April 28.
Scoring just a combined 18 points in the first two games of the postseason, Trent also took the task of guarding Indiana’s star playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
“I was trying to be all over him to start the game. Let him know you’re there and try to take him out of his game,” the 37th pick of the 2018 Draft bared.
Haliburton would eventually finish with a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists, but Rivers praised the two-way play of his surprise starter that led to their first playoff home win of the season.
“We wanted somebody [who’s] aggressive to attack [Tyrese] Haliburton. I thought he [Trent] did that. I like his defense on the ball. I thought that made a big difference,” the 2008 champion coach said.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his stellar postseason play, dropping 37 markers this time on top of 12 boards and six dimes.
He is averaging an insane 35.7 points, 14 rebounds, and 4.7 assists through the first three games of the series.
Milwaukee buckled down defensively in the third frame, pouring 39 points — the most they scored in a quarter so far in the series — and held Indiana to just 18 markers.
“From the third and fourth quarter, what changed the game [for us] was our defense. Once we got stops, we were able to run. We’re feeling more confident as the ball is going in" the Greek Freak said.
The former Finals MVP, though, stayed grounded.
“We have to stay humble. It's just one game,” Antetokounmpo insisted.
