The Pacers won their first NBA playoff series in a decade last night, eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks from the postseason 120-98 at Gainbridge. Obi Toppin scored 21 points and T.J. McConnell added 20, as Indiana took Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first-round series, ending it 4 games to 2. The Pacers led by 12 at halftime, 59-47, and just kept building. A 3 from McConnell punctuated the end of the 3rd quarter, making the lead 15 points at 93-78, then he opened the 4th with another 3 for the Pacers’ biggest lead. The Bucks appeared to give up when Coach Doc Rivers put a bunch of subs in with about 2 ½ minutes left, and Indiana iced its first series victory since 2014, moving on to the second round. Tyrese Haliburton added 17 points and 10 assists, and McConnell dished off 9 assists as well. The Pacers begin that next series Monday, against the New York Knicks.
Local high school athletes were on the diamonds Thursday. Baseball saw Waldron top North Decatur 8-4, and South Decatur beat Morristown 13-4. East Central shut South Dearborn out, 9-0, Greensburg got by Franklin County 3-2, and Batesville blanked Lawrenceburg 6-0.
Batesville’s JV baseball got a combined no-hitter from pitchers Cayden Drake and James Hughes, to beat Lawrenceburg 6-1 Thursday. Drake struck out 12 batters over 6 innings, and Hughes came in to finish with 2 more strikeouts in the 7th. William Huber and Rylan Yeager each got 2 hits for the Bulldogs, Keegan Walke driving in 2 runs on a double. The Bulldog junior varsity’s now 8 & 2 on its season.
In softball, East Central was more than ready, surprising Greensburg 4-0, Edinburgh took it to Jac-Cen-Del 15-6, Oldenburg Academy got belted by Indian Creek 20-7, Franklin County edged Connersville 5-4, Morristown smacked South Decatur 18-5, Hauser knocked off Milan, 7-5 in 8 innings, and North Decatur had a huge day, smoking Waldron 20-3.
Following a day off, the Reds are back at Great American Ballpark tonight, hoping to ignite something on the field before the fans’ Fireworks Night as they host the Baltimore Orioles. The O’s arrive on a roll, having beaten the Yankees 7-2, to win their series and move into sole possession of first place in the American League East. The Reds hope to snap out of a slump tonight, after getting back from their 2 & 4 road trip, the last loss 6-2 to the Padres Wednesday. We have the Reds broadcast for you, beginning at 5:40, only on the Sports Voice, 103.9 FM, WRBI.