Down 2-0 after shedding the primary two video games by a margin of 13.5 factors, the Bucks had been in determined want of a spark. Some felt the reply was to insert Bobby Portis or Kevin Porter Jr. into the beginning unit after the pair of position gamers shone within the first two video games in opposition to the Pacers.
As a substitute, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers inserted Gary Trent Jr. into the beginning unit for Friday’s Recreation 3, a surprising name contemplating the guard scored all of 4 factors on 25% taking pictures in Recreation 2.
Rivers’ roll of the cube paid off in an enormous means. Trent Jr. would produce a playoff career-high 37 factors, going 9-of-12 from three in a 117-101 victory. The veteran guard set the tone with eight first-quarter factors, however his actual influence got here within the clutch. Trent Jr. made two big threes in late within the fourth quarter to assist the Bucks stave off a turnaround by the Pacers, who outscored the house workforce within the ultimate interval.
Trent Jr. matched Bucks legend Ray Allen’s document for many threes in a playoff recreation in franchise historical past.