The Indiana Pacers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 126-124, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday night.

The Pacers (6-3) opened the contest blistering hot on offense, forging a 38-24 lead over the Bucks (5-3) through the first 12 minutes. However, Milwaukee lopped more than half from its deficit during a second period in which they enjoyed 36-28 advantage. The visitors then finished the job in the third period to take a one-point lead into the fourth and then enjoyed as much as a 10-point edge about midway through the period before Indiana finished on a 23-11 run over the final 6:54 for the hard-fought victory.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with a 54-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three assists. Khris Middleton posted 19 points, four assists and two rebounds. Malik Beasley supplied 13 points, four boards, two assists and one steal. Bobby Portis managed 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.

Tyrese Haliburton paced the Pacers with a 29-point, 10-assist double-double that included six rebounds and one block. Bennedict Mathurin generated a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double that included two assists, one steal and one block. Myles Turner delivered 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and one block. Bruce Brown and Buddy Hield produced 11 points apiece, with Brown also collecting nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block.

The Bucks remain on the road and tangle with the Orlando Magic on Saturday evening, while the Pacers visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday evening.